Each year the members of the Perennial Plant Association select a new Perennial Plant of the Year based on the following criteria:
- suitable for a wide range of climate types
- low maintenance
- easily propagated
- easily comes true from seed or vegetative propagation
- exhibits multiple seasonal interest
2011 Amsonia hubrichtii
2010 Baptisia australis
2009 Hakonechloa macra âAureola'
2008 Geranium ROSANNE PP12175
2007 Nepeta faassenii WALKER'S LOW
2006 Dianthus FIREWITCH
2005 Helleborus xhybridus
2004 Athyrium niponicum PICTUM
2003 Leucanthemum BECKY
2002 Phlox DAVID
2001 Calamagrostis x acutiflora KARL FOERSTER
2000 Scabiosa columbaria BUTTERFLY BLUE
1999 Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii GOLDSTURM
1998 Echinacea purpurea MAGNUS
1997 Salvia MAINACHT (May Night)
1996 Penstemon digitalis HUSKER RED
1995 Perovskia atriplicifolia
1994 Astilbe SPRITE
1993 Veronica SUNNY BORDER BLUE
1992 Coreopsis verticillata MOONBEAM
1991 Heuchera micrantha PALACE PURPLE
1990 Phlox stolonifera
Members of the Perennial Plant Association will be making their selection from four plants for the 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year. The plants which were nominated by association members include:
1. Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' is a tall ornamental switchgrass that has one of the best vertical forms of any switchgrass currently available. Olive-green to bluish-green foliage forms a narrow, erect, 4- to 5-foot tall clump that is topped in late summer by finely-textured, yellow flower panicles. The panicles typically bring the total height to 6 feet. The plant prefers full sun and moist fertile soil, but tolerates sandy or clay soils or dry slopes. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9.
2. Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' is a long-blooming perennial that thrives in moist conditions. It has bronze-green foliage that turns a deeper green than the species, but is equally as showy. Short spikes of rose-pink flowers appear in late summer. The upright, red stems provide additional interest throughout the season. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 7.
3. Heuchera 'Caramel' is a vigorous, clump-forming plant with apricot colored foliage and light pink flowers. Partly derived from the Southeast U.S. native, Heuchera villosa, 'Caramel' is tolerant of heat and humidity. It reaches 15 inches tall and 20 inches wide. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.
4. Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' produces distinctive silvery white leaves with green primary and secondary veins with a thin green rim on the leaf edges. It reaches 12-15 inches tall and wide. In mid- to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not-like flowers rise above the foliage on slender stems. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.
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