Every year since 1990 the Perennial Plant Association names one Perennial Plant of the Year — chosen for low care, long season and wide climate range. We grow many of the winners, from catmint ‘Walker’s Low’ to cranesbill ‘Rozanne’.
- Catmint — 'Walker's Low', 2007: blue flowers all summer.
- Cranesbill — 'Rozanne', 2008, and 'Biokovo', 2015.
- Black-Eyed Susan — 'Goldsturm', 1999, and 'American Gold Rush', 2023.
- Feather Reed Grass — 'Karl Foerster', 2001: upright plumes.
- Meadow Sage — 'May Night', 1997: deep violet spikes.
- Coneflower — 'Magnus', 1998: big pink daisies.
- Tall Phlox — 'David', 2002: white, fragrant, mildew resistant.
- Siberian Bugloss — 'Jack Frost', 2012: silver leaves for shade.
- False Indigo — Baptisia australis, 2010: long-lived and tough.
- Shasta Daisy — 'Becky', 2003: classic white daisies.
Alkanet 'Jack Frost'
Brunnera 'Jack Frost'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Long blooming
- Rabbit resistant
Big Bluestem 'Blackhawk'
Andropogon 'Blackhawk'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Black-Eyed Susan 'American Gold Rush'
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Black-Eyed Susan 'Goldstrum'
Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Long blooming
Blue Star Flower 'Hubrichtii'
Amsonia 'Hubrichtii'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Native
- Rabbit resistant
Butterfly Weed 'Tuberosa'
Asclepias 'Tuberosa'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Low maintenance
- Award winner
Catmint 'Walkers Low'
Nepeta 'Walkers Low'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Fragrant
Coneflower 'Magnus'
Echinacea 'Magnus'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Fragrant
Cranesbill 'Biokovo'
Geranium 'Biokovo'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Fragrant
Cranesbill 'Rozanne'
Geranium 'Rozanne'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Fragrant
False Indigo 'Australis'
Baptisia 'Australis'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Native
False Spirea 'Sprite'
Astilbe 'Sprite'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Rabbit resistant
- Award winner
Tips
- Winners are chosen for growing well across much of North America; most are hardy to zone 4, and a few (like ‘Rozanne’) are zone 5 — check each plant’s page.
- They’re a good starting point for a new bed: proven, easy and widely loved.
- Ask our growers which winners are in stock — availability changes through the season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Perennial Plant of the Year?
A yearly award from the Perennial Plant Association for a perennial that grows well across many climates, needs little care and looks good for months.
Who chooses the winner?
Members of the Perennial Plant Association — growers, retailers, designers and educators — vote each year.
What is the 2026 Perennial Plant of the Year?
Big bluestem ‘Blackhawks’, a native grass with purple-red stems in fall.
Are award winners hardy in Maine?
Most are hardy to zone 4 or colder. Check the zone on each plant’s page.