Perennial Plant of the Year® - Displayed by Common Name in Ascending Year

The original purple coral bells, ‘Palace Purple’ is perhaps the most well-recognized and widely planted variety of all heucheras. It was the 1991 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year.

Airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers top strong stems with small, finely dissected, silvery-green leaves. Its loose, open habit makes this perennial an effective filler in the back of the border. 1995 Perennial Plant of the Year!

A classic purple coneflower. Beautiful rose-pink ray petals with a coppery-brown, spiky central cone comprise the huge, flat flower heads. Newer blooms are more intense in color and fade to pale rose as they age.

‘Goldsturm’ Black Eyed Susans have a long season of bloom and a sturdy, upright habit. The gold daisy-like flowers have a distinct dark brown central cone and are held on branching stems. Do not deadhead these cones if you want winter interest since the black seed heads remain attractive throughout the winter and the seeds provide a source of food for small birds.

Perennial Plant of the Year for 2001. This is a cool season, clumping grass with a compact, erect growth habit. It is especially prized in the north where the magnificent, wheat-like seed heads appear in late spring and last all season long.

‘David’ is the most mildew-resistant garden phlox today. Its domed clusters of pure-white flowers appear above deep-green leaves that remain clean and healthy nine summers out of ten, despite extreme heat and humidity. Flowering beings in midsummer.

Copious amounts of very large, single, white blooms are produced atop strong stems which are ideal for cutting. Despite its height, this variety does not usually require staking.

2004 Perennial Plant of the Year! One of the most colorful ferns for the garden, the Japanese Painted Fern has silvery-grey fronds which are dusty purple towards the center. They are set off by the purplish-red veins and stems.

Gray-green, aromatic foliage gives way to a plethora of soft lavender-blue flowers which are produced over a long period in summer. Although the stems are 2-3’ long, the plant's arching habit brings the height down to 18 to 24 inches if it is not staked.

Variegated but nearly all yellow, the leaf blades have narrow green stripes near the margins. Perhaps its most fascinating attribute is the cascading habit in which most of the leaves arch in the same direction, appearing much like a golden waterfall.

A sight to behold! The leaves of ‘Jack Frost’ are intricately detailed with a crackle-like finish. Though the leaves are dark green, they have a heavily frosted overlay which allows only the green veining to show through. From mid to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not type blossoms are held in clusters several inches above the shimmering foliage. The effect is breathtaking.

A classic beauty for the woodland garden. Grown mostly for its clean variegated, soft green foliage which turns yellow in fall, Solomon's Seal is a charming plant for the shade. On quiet spring evenings, the flowers exude a subtle lily-like fragrance.

This selection forms a tall, narrow mound of olive-green leaves, bearing airy heads of tiny green flowers in late summer. Fall color is golden, fading to tan. Usually attractive in the garden all winter long. Flowers are good for cutting, fresh or dried. Trim back to the ground in early spring. Clumps are easily divided in spring. Drought tolerant once established.

Large flowers on graceful, slender stalks provide dramatic late season color for the garden or bouquet. Lovely foliage forms 12" mounds and stays attractive all season.

A virtually hassle-free, very long lived perennial, offering three months of tangerine orange blooms (occasionally red or yellow) from early through late summer. Deadheading the flowers will stimulate another bloom cycle about a month after the first one. The flowers, which are heavily laden with nectar and pollen, are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.

Gather bouquets of Asclepias all summer long; the long stems are wonderful for cutting and are long-lasting. Sear the ends of the cut stems over a flame to stop the milky sap from leaking out.

Following the fabulous flowers, green fruits develop which rupture to reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs reminiscent of its cousin, common milkweed. These are great to use in dried flower arrangements.

‘Millenium’ forms a compact, upright clump of glossy green, thick and strappy leaves which emit a slight smell of onion when crushed. In late July and August here in Michigan, a profusion of large 2”, bright rosy purple, tightly rounded clusters of flowers appear on strong stems just above the attractive foliage. Butterflies and honeybees adore the flowers’ sweet nectar but deer and rabbits steer clear of this perennial beauty. This plant has not been known to reseed in the landscape and is very easy to grow.

this species forms large, rounded clumps of green, long and narrow, textured leaves. It is lovely even when it's not in bloom. In midsummer, sturdy spikes of lavender-rose flowers shoot up through the foliage, putting on quite a display.

With leaves that are as big and bold as the sun, this beautiful gold form of Aralia makes an outstanding accent in the shade or part shade. Small clusters of white, satellite-like flowers in late summer followed by decorative purple berries.

This sun-loving perennial is the perfect choice for attracting pollinators, since it blooms from early summer until frost. Tiny, white flowers cover the bushy habit. Since this is in the mint family, the leaves carry a mint scent. Perfect for rock garden enthusiasts and herb gardens. Use in the landscape as you would Nepeta (Catmint).

Blue Heaven™ has a taller, more upright habit that does not tend to flop like the species. In the summer, the foliage color is a brighter steel blue color with purple highlights, looking almost iridescent up close. From late summer through early fall, glossy purple panicles appear with fluffy tan seeds attached.

An improvement over the species, this cultivar was discovered and selected in a field of Schizachyrium seedlings by Mary Meyer at the University of Minnesota. The fall color is also improved over the species, including a mix of purple, blue, red, pink, burgundy, and orange pigments. This color persists into mid-fall, after which snow typically arrives in the Midwest.

This ornamental grass is a result of an extensive Schizachyrium breeding program from Walters Gardens, Inc. and is the perfect option for those looking to add to their native or prairie garden. The habit is very upright and columnar, and maintains its upright habit through fall. At 3½ feet tall, this grass will be the perfect backdrop to your garden. True to its name, ‘Blue Paradise’ has striking silvery blue stems in summer. In the fall, this grass takes center stage as the leaves develop a deep wine purple color. In early fall, tiny tan seed heads appear on the top half of the stems.

Schizachyrium is a great choice if you are looking to restore an eroded site.This species can have blue, green, or purple leaves, all of which turn a beautiful cinnamon-red in the fall. Fluffy silvery-white seed heads begin to appear in midsummer.

Finally, a Black Eyed Susan that's resistant to the Septoria leaf spot! Thanks to the thinner and hairier leaves, this hybrid Rudbeckia shows no signs of the fungus even in wet, humid conditions. A dome-like habit of golden yellow flowers with black centers are produced heavily from July to September here in Michigan, with some color until frost. Destined to be the new staple for landscapes! From Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens.

The intense purple color of these leaves are second to none! Compared to ‘Blackberry Ice’, the foliage is larger, a richer hue, and holds onto its purple color for much of the season. Large, scalloped, incredibly glossy leaves are a bold shade of purple. Charcoal veins accent the leaf color that make the leaves really pop. Dark stems hold rosy pink calyxes and white flowers. A must have!