Award of Garden Merit Winners

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Hosta

Hemerocallis

Sedum

Heuchera

Phlox

Whitehall

Echinacea

Iris

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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:

Sedum

Sedum 'Carl' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $194.08

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Sedum

Sedum 'Midnight Velvet' PPAF (25) BR Plants

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Now: $227.74

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Sedum

Sedum 'Night Embers' PP29211 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $209.67

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Sedum

Sedum 'Popstar' PP31228 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $221.37

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Sedum

Sedum 'Pride and Joy' PP32530 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $221.37

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Sedum

Sedum 'Pure Joy' PP24194 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $221.37

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Sedum

Sedum 'Yellow Brick Road' PP32158 (25) BR Plants

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Now: $220.07

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Thymus

Thymus praecox 'Coccineus' (25) BR Plants

MSRP:

Now: $201.34

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Thymus

Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' (3.5 inch pot)

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Now: $4.80

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Trachelospermum

Trachelospermum asiaticum (18)ct Flat

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Now: $87.00

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Trachelospermum

Trachelospermum asiaticum (2.5 inch pot)

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Now: $2.84

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Trachelospermum

Trachelospermum asiaticum (3.25 inch pot)

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Now: $4.23

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Sedum

Sedum 'Carl' (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Carl' (25) Bare Root Plants Common name: Stonecrop-Autumn. a/k/a Hylotelephium This English variety is distinguished from ‘Autumn Joy’ by its compact habit and large clusters of brilliant magenta pink flowers held on reddish stems...

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Now: $194.08
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Sedum

Sedum 'Midnight Velvet' PPAF (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Midnight Velvet' PPAF CPBRAF (25) Bare Root PlantsProven Winners® ROCK 'N GROW® Collection Common Name: StonecropA tall Sedum in line with the rest of the ROCK 'N GROW® Collection, 'Midnight Velvet' adds a new foliage and flower color...

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Now: $227.74
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Sedum

Sedum 'Night Embers' PP29211 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Night Embers' PP29211 (25) Bare Root PlantsCommon Name: Autumn Stonecrop This late season bloomer can be admired for its strictly upright habit of dark black-purple, semi-glossy succulent leaves. Small clusters of light mauve pink flowers are...

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Now: $209.67
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Sedum

Sedum 'Popstar' PP31228 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Popstar' PP31228 CPBR6264 (25) Bare Root PlantsROCK 'N ROUND® CollectionCommon Name: Stonecrop This low maintenance, compact Stonecrop will be the star of your late summer garden. In the summer, blue-green foliage appears on grey-purple stems...

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Now: $221.37
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Sedum

Sedum 'Pride and Joy' PP32530 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Pride and Joy' PP32530 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root PlantsROCK 'N ROUND® CollectionCommon Name: Stonecrop 'Pure Joy' has become a garden staple for the late summer/early fall garden. Now joining the light pink 'Pure Joy' and the white-flowering sport...

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Now: $221.37
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Sedum

Sedum 'Pure Joy' PP24194 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Pure Joy' PP24194 CPBR5340 (25) Bare Root PlantsROCK 'N ROUND® CollectionCommon Name: Stonecrop It was truly a joy to watch this plant progress through the seasons here in our trials. In the spring, very small, sharply serrated leaves...

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Now: $221.37
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Sedum

Sedum 'Yellow Brick Road' PP32158 (25) BR Plants

Sedum 'Yellow Brick Road' PP32158 CPBRAF (25) Bare Root PlantsROCK 'N LOW® CollectionCommon Name: Stonecrop Looking for a beautiful groundcover? 'Yellow Brick Road' is your answer! This perennial will cover its dark green leaves and red stems with...

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Now: $220.07
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Thymus

Thymus praecox 'Coccineus' (25) BR Plants

Thymus praecox 'Coccineus' (25) Bare Root Plants Common Name: Red Creeping Thyme 'Coccineus' forms a dense, flat mat of evergreen, dark green leaves that are smothered in bright magenta-red flowers from early thru midsummer. In fall, the foliage...

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Now: $201.34
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Thymus

Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' (3.5 inch pot)

Thymus serpyllum 'Pink Chintz' (3.5-inch pot)Common names: Pink Chintz Thyme Height: 1-2 Inches Spread: 18 Inches Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Full Sun to Part Shade Evergreen ornamental herb Tolerates light foot traffic Cascades Over Walls Low maintenance...

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Now: $4.80
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Trachelospermum

Trachelospermum asiaticum (18)ct Flat

Trachelospermum asiaticum (18ct FlatCommon names: Asiatic Jasmine Height: 6-24 Inches Hardiness Zone: 7-10 Sun to Shade Evergreen - may Winter burn in zone 7 in exposed areas Ground cover for hard to cover areas Prune back early Spring Erosion Control ...

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Now: $87.00
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Trachelospermum

Trachelospermum asiaticum (2.5 inch pot)

Trachelospermum asiaticum (2.5-inch pot)Common names: Asiatic Jasmine Height: 6-24 Inches Hardiness Zone: 7-10 Sun to Shade Evergreen - may Winter burn in zone 7 in exposed areas Ground cover for hard to cover areas Prune back early Spring Erosion...

MSRP:

Now: $2.84
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Trachelospermum

Trachelospermum asiaticum (3.25 inch pot)

Trachelospermum asiaticum (3.25-inch)Common names: Asiatic Jasmine tray-kee-low-SPER-mum ay-see-AT-ih-kum Height: 6-24 Inches Hardiness Zone: 7-10 Sun to Shade Evergreen - may Winter burn in zone 7 in exposed areas Ground cover for hard to cover areas...

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Now: $4.23
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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?