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Perennials of the year


The Perennial Plant Association is comprised of growers, educators, retailers and landscapers all dedicated to promoting perennial plants.Each year members of this organization submit their nominations for the title of “Perennial Plant of the Year.”
Nominations are based on the following criteria:
  • Suitable for a wide range of climate conditions
  • Low maintenance
  • Pest and disease resistant
  • Multiple seasons of interest
  • Easily propagated
You can trust that a plant with the PPA designation is an excellent choice for your home landscape.
​

2023 Perennial OF THE YEAR

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2023 - Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'
This vigorous, compact variety produces large, deep golden-yellow daisies with dark brown eyes; bred to be highly resistant to Septoria leaf spot; deadhead for re-blooming; drought tolerant once established; wonderful along borders or in containers.
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PAST WINNERS

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2022 - Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
This dwarf, clump forming, warm season native features a unique rounded shape and resistance to lodging; blue-green blades with a purplish-bronze bloom; a true kaleidoscope of autumn color.
Learn More

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2021 - Calamint
Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta
Pretty lilac to white flowers cover this more vigorous variety throughout summer; features larger flower clusters, and larger foliage than the species; an excellent choice for borders and containers; dried leaves used for potpourris or sachets.
Learn More

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2020 - Sun King Japanese Spikenard
Aralia cordata 'Sun King'
Large golden compound leaves and a rounded, tidy habit makes this a wonderful woodland accent plant; white flower clusters are airy and visually pleasing; foliage is more yellow-gold in bright sun; deep purple-black berries are not edible.
Learn More

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2019 - Stachys 'Hummelo'
Stachys monieri 'Hummelo'
This variety forms a large, rounded clump of attractive, narrow, textured leaves; sturdy spikes of lavender-rose flowers shoot up through the foliage from early to mid summer, making quite a display; a great addition to a sunny border.
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2018 - Millenium Ornamental Onion
Allium 'Millenium'
A spectacular ornamental onion forming an upright clump of glossy green, thick, strappy leaves; a profusion of lilac-purple rounded clusters of flowers in mid-summer; impressive when massed in groupings; great as a long lasting cut flower.
Learn More

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2017 - Butterfly Weed
Asclepius tuberosa
A wonderful selection that is perfect for attracting butterflies to gardens; bright golden orange clusters of fragrant flowers rise above narrow, green foliage during the summer months and into early fall; easy to grow, drought tolerant once established.
Learn More

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2016 - Honorine Jobert Anemone
Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert'
Elegant white buttercup flowers rise high above dark green foliage; windflowers are perfect for naturalizing, swaying gently in the wind and blooming at the end of the season; lovely when massed along borders or in containers.
Learn More

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2015 - Biokovo Geranium
Geranium cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'
Vigorous and mat forming, covered in light pink flowers during late spring and into early summer; fragrant dark green foliage changes to dark red during the cooler autumn months; great in borders, beds and cottage gardens.
Learn More

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2014 - Northwind Switch Grass
​Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'
Northwind Switch Grass features airy plumes of rose flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive grassy leaves are olive green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous gold in the fall. The brick red seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to mid fall. The tan stems can be quite attractive.
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2013- Polygonatum odoratum ‘variegatum’ (Solomon’s Seal)
18-24” HxW. Shade. Arching stems of variegated green and white foliage and softly scented flowers fill in beautifully between hosta and fern.

2012-Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
18” HxW. Shade. Silvery variegated heart-shaped leaves brighten up a dark spot with bright blue flowers in spring.

2011-
Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas Blue Star)
3’ HxW. Sun. Soft needle-like foliage with pale blue flowers late spring into summer. Spectacular yellow fall color!

2010-
Baptisia australia (False Indigo)
4’H x 3-4’W. Sun. A tough native plant with intense indigo blue flowers on attractive mint-green foliage.

2009-
Hakonechloa Macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese Forest Grass)
1-2’H x 2-3’W. Shade. Great color and texture in shade gardens with this yellow bladed grass.

2008- 
Geranium ‘Rozanne’
H 20” W 24”. Very large violet blue flowers with white centers from early summer until frost above mounds of slightly marbled green foliage.Can be sheared back to 3” to rejuvenate. Prefers moist, organic soil.

2007- 
Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’ Catmint
H 30-36” W 30-36”. Walkers Low is a named for a garden and the name is not related to the plant size! Lovely violet-blue flowers over a long period. Attractive gray-green foliage, lack of pest or disease problems and low maintenance make it a winner. Deer and rabbit resistant.

2006- 
Diantus ‘Firewitch’
H 6” W 12”. Masses of brilliant raspberry red 1” upward facing flowers with a spicy clove fragrance cover silvery-blue mats of evergreen foliage in late spring, early summer. Often re-bloom in fall if deadheaded.

2005- Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)

H 24” W 18”. Dense evergreen foliage, nodding cup-shaped flowers of white, cream, pink to purple. Excellent plant for shade. Deer and rabbit resistant.

2004- 
Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ (Japanese Painted Fern)
H 12-18” W 24”. Exciting purple, gray, green variegated foliage. Very hardy fern for shade.

2003- Leucanthemum 
‘Becky’ (Shasta Daisy)
H 36” W 24”. Long-lasting larg 2-3” single white daisies with stout stems from mid to late summer. Excellent cut flower. Very heat tolerant,exceptionally long-lived plants.

2002- 
Phlox ‘David’
H 40” W 24”. Deliciously fragrant pure white flowers. Blooms from mid to late summer. Very easy to grow, mildew resistant variety.

2001- Calamagostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Reed Grass)
H 4-6’ W 2-3’. Green Foliage. White plumes fade to rose with tan seed heads.

2000- Scabiosa colum
baria ‘Butterfly Blue’ (Pincushion Flower)
H 12-18” W 20”. A profusion of lavender-blue flowers all summer on this cultivar originally discovered in Ireland. Compact habit does not require staking.

1999- 
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed-Susan)

H 24” W 24”. Large deep yellow flowers, bronzy-black cone center. Forms nicely branched plants. Superior hardy variety.

1998- Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (Purple Coneflower)
H 36” W 24”. Rosy purple petals with dark lilac cone. Petals do not droop. Blooms July through September

1997- 
Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’
H 18” W 12”. Indigo-blue blooms with rich green foliage. Cut back to encourage re-blooming.
Perennials of the Year PDF
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  • Locations
    • Overland Park
    • Shawnee
    • Liberty
  • DEPARTMENTS
    • Annuals
    • Edibles
    • Gifts & Decor
    • Lawn Care >
      • Summer Lawn Guide
      • Grass Guide PDF
    • Perennials >
      • Chrysanthemums 2024
      • Perennials Catalog
    • Pots & Planters
    • Tree & Shrubs >
      • Rose List 2025
      • Trees & Shrubs Catalog
      • Shade Trees
    • Tropicals >
      • Poinsettias 2024
      • Tropicals Catalog
    • Plant Finder
  • Weekly Ad
  • Upcoming Events
  • Learn
    • Plant Care
    • Watch & Learn
    • Blog
    • Podcasts
  • SHOP
    • Gift Card
  • CafĂ© Equinox
    • Café Equinox
  • Careers
  • Family Tree Policies
    • Return Policy & Limited Guarantee
    • Photography Policy
    • Pet Policy