Award of Garden Merit Winners

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Plants that Can for those who think they Can't!

The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a mark of quality awarded, since 1922, to garden plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Awards are made annually after plant trials intended to judge the plants' performance. Trials may last for one or more years, depending on the type of plant being trialled, and may be performed at RHS Garden, Wisley, other RHS gardens or after observation of plants in specialist collections.

The RHS AGM is awarded only to plants that meet the following criteria:

- Outstanding excellence for ordinary garden decoration or use
- Available for general purchase
- Good constitution
- Do not require highly specialist growing conditions or care
- Are not particularly susceptible to any pest or disease
- Are not be subject to an unreasonable degree of reversion in its vegetative or floral characteristics

Though growing conditions and plant types may vary, the purpose of the award is always the same: to highlight the best plants available to the home gardener. Check out these Award of Garden Merit recipients:

Nepeta

Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' (25) BR Plants

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Nepeta

Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' (4) 1-gallons

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Origanum

Origanum 'Drops of Jupiter' PP33367 (4) 1-gallons

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Now: $127.87

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Pachysandra

Pachysandra terminalis 'Silver Edge' (bare root plant)

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Now: $2.37

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Paeonia

Paeonia 'Duchesse de Nemours' (10) Plants

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Now: $254.97

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Paeonia

Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' (10) Plants

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Now: $268.83

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Paeonia

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (10) Plants

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Now: $222.06

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Phlox

Phlox subulata 'Red Wing' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $194.08

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Phlox

Phlox subulata 'Red Wing' (3.5 inch pot)

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Now: $4.80

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Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (3.5 inch pot)

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Now: $4.60

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Sedum

Sedum 'Boogie Woogie' PP31767 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $220.07

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Sedum

Sedum 'Bright Idea' PP34396 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $221.37

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Nepeta

Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' (25) BR Plants

Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' (25) Bare Root Plantsa/k/a Catmint and Catnip The cultivar name is somewhat misleading, the plant is named for its garden of origin, not its growth habit. Gray-green, aromatic foliage gives way to a plethora of...

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Now: $194.08
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Nepeta

Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' (4) 1-gallons

Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low' (4) 1-gallonsa/k/a Catmint and Catnip The cultivar name is somewhat misleading, the plant is named for its garden of origin, not its growth habit. Gray-green, aromatic foliage gives way to a plethora of soft...

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Now: $115.68
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Origanum

Origanum 'Drops of Jupiter' PP33367 (4) 1-gallons

Origanum 'Drops of Jupiter' PP33367 CPBRAF - Proven Winners (4) 1-gallons Common Name: Ornamental OreganoThis beautiful ornamental herb will brighten up your landscape! When planted in full sun, the leaves of 'Drops of Jupiter' are chartreuse yellow...

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Now: $127.87
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Pachysandra

Pachysandra terminalis 'Silver Edge' (bare root plant)

Pachysandra terminalis 'Silver Edge' Bare Root PlantsCommon Name: Silver Edge Pachysandra Height: 6-8 Inches Hardiness Zone: 4-9 Shade Tolerates part sun in Northern Zones Evergreen ground cover Spreads by rhizomes Pachysandra terminalis 'Silver Edge'...

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Now: $2.37
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Paeonia

Paeonia 'Duchesse de Nemours' (10) Plants

Paeonia 'Duchesse de Nemours' (10) Plants Flower type: Double. Zones: 3 to 8Full sun to part shade. Bloom time: Mid season, Late SpringHeight: 34 Inches Spread: 24 Inches Deer and Rabbit Resistant Fragrant, milky white, globe-shaped blossoms with...

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Now: $254.97
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Paeonia

Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' (10) Plants

Paeonia 'Festiva Maxima' (10) 3 to 5 Eye PlantsCommon Name: Garden Peony Noticeably fragrant, white blooms with red drizzled throughout the center is the highlight of this reliable bloomer. The flowers have a massive, loose form. This popular double is...

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Now: $268.83
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Paeonia

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (10) Plants

Paeonia 'Sarah Bernhardt' (10) Plants Flower type: Double. Zones: 3 to 8Full sun to part shade. Bloom time: Late seasonHeight: 34 inches; Spread: 24 inches Gigantic, double, apple blossom pink flowers are an old fashioned favorite. This variety blooms in...

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Now: $222.06
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Phlox

Phlox subulata 'Red Wing' (25) BR Plants

Phlox subulata 'Red Wing' (25) Bare Root Plants Common name: Phlox-Creeping, Moss Pinks. 'Red Wing' has striking pinkish-crimson flowers with a dark red center which blanket the foliage in late spring. It makes a tremendous color impact which can be...

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Now: $194.08
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Phlox

Phlox subulata 'Red Wing' (3.5 inch pot)

Phlox subulata 'Red Wing' (3.5-inch pot)Common name: Phlox-Creeping, Moss Pinks. 'Red Wing' has striking pinkish-crimson flowers with a dark red center which blanket the foliage in late spring. It makes a tremendous color impact which can be seen...

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Now: $4.80
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Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (3.5 inch pot)

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (3.5-inch pot)Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower. Bright gold petals with a deep brown cone highlights the garden in late summer. 'Goldsturm' is a long-blooming, low maintenance perennial. Disease and pest...

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Now: $4.60
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Sedum

Sedum 'Boogie Woogie' PP31767 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Boogie Woogie' PP31767 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root PlantsROCK 'N LOW® CollectionCommon Name: Stonecrop People love variegation in perennials. Enter 'Boogie Woogie', a stable summer-flowering groundcover type that will definitely make your garden...

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Now: $220.07
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Sedum

Sedum 'Bright Idea' PP34396 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Bright Idea' PP34396 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root PlantsROCK 'N ROUND® CollectionCommon Name: Stonecrop This hybrid Stonecrop has a similar appearance and blooms in early summer like S. kamtschaticum. However, the habit is much more polished with a...

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Now: $221.37
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What are awards that perennial plants can win?

International:

Award of Garden Merit (AGM): a prestigious recognition bestowed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the UK to plants that demonstrate outstanding performance and reliability in UK growing conditions. It serves as a valuable marker of quality for gardeners, helping them choose reliable and successful plants for their gardens.
Perennial Plant of the Year (PPA): Chosen by the Perennial Plant Association in North America, this award recognizes a perennial for its overall excellence in terms of low maintenance, adaptability, long bloom season, and multiple garden uses.
All-America Selections (AAS): This program evaluates new cultivars across various plant categories, including perennials, based on specific performance criteria within various regions.

Regional:

Great Plant Picks (GPP): Several regions in the United States and Canada have GPP programs that assess plants for regional suitability and pest/disease resistance.
Proven Winners® Perennial of the Year: This award program highlights high-performing perennials that thrive in diverse growing conditions across North America.

Specific Plant Category Awards:

Daylily of the Year (American Hemerocallis Society): Recognizes outstanding daylilies based on various characteristics like flower form, color, and habit.
Hosta of the Year (American Hosta Society): Celebrates exceptional hostas for their foliage features, growth habit, and overall garden impact.
Grass of the Year (North American Native Plant Society): Recognizes native grasses for their ecological value and ornamental appeal.

Additional Awards:

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Plant of Merit (POM): A similar recognition to the AGM, awarded to plants demonstrating excellent performance in UK gardens.
International Bulb Trials: Evaluate and recognize outstanding bulb varieties, including perennials like flowering onions and alliums.

What is the Award of Garden Merit?

The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a prestigious recognition bestowed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the UK to plants that demonstrate outstanding performance and reliability in UK growing conditions. It serves as a valuable marker of quality for gardeners, helping them choose reliable and successful plants for their gardens.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects of the AGM:

What it signifies:

Excellent performance: The plant thrives and performs well under typical UK gardening conditions, without requiring excessive care or attention.

Availability: The plant is readily available from reputable nurseries and garden centers.

Good constitution: The plant possesses inherent strength and resilience, showing resistance to diseases and pests.

Stable form and color: The plant retains its expected characteristics, ensuring consistency and predictability in your garden.

Reasonably resistant to pests and diseases: While no plant is entirely immune, AGM-winning plants exhibit a lower susceptibility to common garden problems.

Awarding process:

Plants undergo rigorous trials at RHS gardens or through expert observation in specialist collections.

Trials typically last for one or more years, depending on the plant type.

A panel of horticultural experts evaluates the plants based on the aforementioned criteria.

Awards are only given to plants that meet all the required standards.

Benefits for gardeners:

Provides assurance of a plant's suitability and performance in UK gardens.

Helps save time and money by avoiding plants that might struggle or perform poorly.

Introduces you to a curated selection of reliable and high-quality plants.

Offers a valuable reference point when planning and selecting plants for your garden.

Additional resources:

RHS Award of Garden Merit website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/award-of-garden-merit

Lists of AGM-winning plants: https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/award-of-garden-merit

Wikipedia article on the Award of Garden Merit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Award_of_Garden_Merit

What groundcover perennial plants have won the Award of Garden Merit?

There are many groundcover perennial plants that have won the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Here are a few examples:

Hostas: There are over 90 hostas that have been awarded the AGM. They are popular shade-loving plants with a wide variety of leaf colors and shapes. Some popular AGM-winning hostas include 'Francee', 'Gold Standard', and 'Earth Angel'.

Bergenia: These evergreen plants have large, leathery leaves and produce clusters of pink or white flowers in spring. Some popular AGM-winning bergenias include 'Bressingham Ruby' and 'Admiral'.

Ajuga reptans: This low-growing plant has creeping stems and blue flowers that bloom in spring. It is a good choice for groundcover in dry shade. Some popular AGM-winning Ajuga reptans cultivars include 'Catlin's Giant' and 'Purple Spark'.

Geranium cantabrigiense: This hardy geranium has blue flowers that bloom from late spring to summer. It is a good choice for groundcover in sunny or partially shaded areas. Some popular AGM-winning Geranium cantabrigiense cultivars include 'Biokovo', 'Karmina', and 'Rozanne'.

Nepeta x faassenii: This catmint has lavender flowers that bloom from summer to autumn. It is a good choice for groundcover in sunny areas. Some popular AGM-winning Nepeta x faassenii cultivars include 'Six Hills Giant' and 'Walker's Low'.

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Award Winning Plants

What are awards that perennial plants can win?

What is the Award of Garden Merit?

What groundcover perennial plants have won the Award of Garden Merit?