<\/p>\n

We haven\u2019t visited this in a while, so let\u2019s take a look at the Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY) as designated by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). This time, with a twist. We\u2019ll look back at the last decade of PPOY and review the winners, most of which, you\u2019ll find, continue to be market standouts.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s winner is Geranium \u00d7 cantabrigiense \u2018Biokovo\u2019, which was featured as an American Nurseryman Field Note in our March issue. The Field Note, by Kathy Freeland, originally appeared in June 2003.<\/p>\n

Each year, members of the PPA nominate a number of outstanding perennials for this distinction. It\u2019s not unusual for upwards of 400 plants to be nominated in a voting year, and the PPOY committee must winnow down the list to about three or four nominees. PPA members then cast their ballots for the perennial that deserves the designation of Perennial Plant of the Year, which, by the way, is an exceptional way to market the plants you grow and specify.<\/p>\n

This is not just a beauty contest. Nominated plants must satisfy specific criteria including suitability for a wide range of climatic conditions; low-maintenance requirements; relative pest-and disease-resistance; ready availability during the year of promotion; and multiple seasons of interest. That\u2019s more than just a pretty face.
\nHere are the PPA\u2019s Perennial Plants of the Year for the last decade.<\/p>\n

2014 \u2013 Panicum virgatum \u2018Northwind\u2019 (PPOY 2014)<\/h4>\n

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Photo courtesy of Hoffman Nursery Inc.<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not often that an ornamental grass is selected for recognition, and this one is certainly deserving. Selected by Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm near Burlington, Wisconsin, it\u2019s more reliably upright than other switchgrass varieties, reaching about 4 to 5 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet. Wide, thick, steely blue blades maintain their good posture even through storm and drought. Come fall, \u2018Northwind\u2019 is topped with graceful, erect plumes.
\nHardy in zones 2 to 9; plus, it\u2019s deer resistant.<\/p>\n

2013 \u2013 Polygonatum odoratum \u2018Variegatum\u2019 (PPOY 2013)<\/h4>\n

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Photo courtesy of Sally Benson<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The woodland variegated Solomon\u2019s Seal loves part to full shade locations, and brings the darker garden to life with graceful arching stems that support soft green, ovate leaves with creamy tips and margins. In spring, pairs of small, dainty, bell-like white flowers emerge along the length of each stem. The plant spreads by rhizomes and reaches about 18 to 24 inches tall.
\nHardy in zones 3 to 8; very few insect or disease problems.<\/p>\n

2012 \u2013 Brunnera \u2018Jack Frost\u2019 (PPOY 2012)<\/h4>\n

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Photos courtesy of Sally Benson<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Yet another good selection for shade, \u2018Jack Frost\u2019 Siberian bugloss virtually gleams with silvery highlights on large (3 to 5 inches wide), heart-shaped leaves. In spring, slender stems hold cymes of small, light blue flowers that resemble those of forget-me-nots; flowers reach above the mounded foliage to about 18 inches. Creeping rhizomes encourage \u2018Jack Frost\u2019 to develop thick ground covers, but the plant is also happy in containers or combined with other shade-loving groundcover plants.
\nHardy in zones 3 to 8; no serious insect or disease problems, and it\u2019s deer and rabbit resistant.<\/p>\n

2011 \u2013 Amsonia hubrichtii (PPOY 2011)<\/h4>\n

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Photo courtesy of Sally Benson<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Best when used in mass, Arkansas blue star is a superstar in the full sun to partial shade garden. Medium green, narrow and threadlike leaves create a brushy appearance to this clump-forming plant, which is topped in spring by small, powdery blue flowers forming \u2014 you guessed it \u2014 clusters of stars. It\u2019s easily grown in full sun to part shade. The foliage color is stable throughout summer, but the real show begins in fall, when leaves turn a brilliant, traffic-stopping gold.
\nHardy in zones 4 to 9; attracts butterflies and tolerates deer.<\/p>\n

2010 \u2013 Baptisia australis (PPOY 2010)<\/h4>\n

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Photo iStock | Cameron Whitman<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Blue false indigo is such a strong and sturdy perennial it\u2019s often mistaken for a shrub, and can provide that service in the mixed sun to partial shade garden. Growing 3 to 4 feet tall with an equivalent spread, in spring its stems hold light to medium purple, lupine-like flowers (some say they resemble the blooms of sweet peas, another member of Fabaceae). The flowers then develop into large seed pods \u2014 up to 2.5 inches long \u2014 that darken when ripe and provide additional ornamental interest.
\nHardy in zones 3 to 9; attract butterflies and children, tolerates rabbits.<\/p>\n

2009 \u2013 Hakonechloa macra \u2018Aureola\u2019 (PPOY 2009)<\/h4>\n

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Photo courtesy of Hoffman Nursery Inc.<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

This petite ornamental grass can add an unusual architectural element to the partial shade garden. Commonly called Japanese forest grass, the 15- to 18-inchtall mound performs well in areas with reliable moisture. Slightly arching, narrow, medium green foliage is highlighted with gold striping, distinguishing \u2018Aureola\u2019 from other Hakone grass selections. In midsummer, yellow-green flowers emerge in loose, nodding panicles.
\nHardy in zones 5 to 9; can be planted near black walnut.<\/p>\n

2008 \u2013 Geranium \u2018Gerwat\u2019 (Rozanne)(PPOY 2008)<\/h4>\n

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Photo iStock | HaraldBiebel<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Rozanne is among the most popular garden plants, and it\u2019s easy to understand why. But just because it\u2019s already a hit doesn\u2019t mean we pass it by. It\u2019s easily grown and requires low maintenance \u2014 and it provides an extended season of bloom. Violet-blue flowers emerge in late spring and last through summer, but many of the plants continue to bloom through fall. Clean, deep green foliage provides a reliable groundcover. And exceptional heat tolerance make it a bread-and-butter plant for the Midwest.<\/p>\n

2007 \u2013 Nepeta racemosa \u2018Walker\u2019s Low\u2019 (PPOY 2007)<\/h4>\n

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Photo Courtesy of the Doreen Wynja for Monrovia<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Drought tolerance and mounds of soft, lavender-blue flowers make \u2018Walker\u2019s Low\u2019 catmint a natural for rock gardens, border gardens or naturalized plantings. The name is a little misleading: Plants reach 2 to 2.5 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet, so remind your clients and customers that this plant will take more room than they assume it will. But the near-continuous bloom from spring through fall makes up for any size surprise.
\nHardy in zones 4 to 8; the showy flowers and fragrant foliage are tolerant of deer, drought and dry soil. Bees love it!<\/p>\n

2006 \u2013 Dianthus gratianopolitanus \u2018Feuerhexe\u2019 (PPOY 2006)<\/h4>\n

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Photo Courtesy of Doreen Wynja for Monrovia<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Cheddar pink is known for its cheery, ruffled blooms; \u2018Feuerhexe\u2019 turns up the volume on color with its bright magenta flowers that cover the low-growing mound in spring \u2014 and may repeat intermittently through summer. Best in full sun, the plant grows only to about 6 inches tall and spread to 1 foot, making it a suitable groundcover plant for areas needing that exclamation point of color. Grassy foliage is deep blue and remains clean throughout the season.
\nHardy in zones 3 to 8; tolerates deer.<\/p>\n

2005 \u2013 Helleborus \u00d7 hybridus (PPOY 2005)<\/h4>\n

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Photo iStock | 22kay22<\/small><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Hybrid hellebores \u2014 Lenten rose \u2014 have become the must-have plant for the gardener who desires a promise of spring. Dark green, evergreen leaves provide color through the coldest season, but come mid- to late winter, graceful, nodding flowers emerge in colors ranging from the deepest purple to red, pink, white and yellow, some flecked with starry spots. The cup-shaped blooms range from 2 to 3 inches in diameter and feature five showy petals.<\/p>\n

The plants are easily grown in part to full shade and require very little maintenance once established.<\/p>\n

Hardy in zones 4 to 9; tolerant of deer and heavy shade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We haven\u2019t visited this in a while, so let\u2019s take a look at the Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY) as designated by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). This time, with a twist. We\u2019ll look back at the last decade of PPOY and review the winners, most of which, you\u2019ll find, continue to be market […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3,4],"class_list":["post-21","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery","tag-perennials","tag-rose"],"yoast_head":"\n