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Why Award-Winning Plants Deserve Your Attention
Forget popularity contests! Award-winning plant lists are your secret weapon for gardening success. These plants have been rigorously tested and proven to be top performers. They are not just pretty faces; they are also easy to grow, adaptable, and often disease-resistant. Think of them as the gold standard that plant breeders strive for.
Who are the Plant Judges?
Various organizations, from regional groups to international bodies, recognize exceptional plants. Some focus on specific climates, while others have a global perspective. Some prioritize new varieties, while others celebrate tried-and-true favorites. And some, like All-America Selections, even specialize in seed-grown plants.
You will find awards for all sorts of plants, from daylilies and hostas to urban trees. A prime example is the Perennial Plant Association (PPA), which has been naming a "Perennial Plant of the Year" since 1990. To earn this honor, a plant must impress the entire PPA membership with its adaptability, ease of care, and resilience.
Why Choose Award Winners?
Awards programs offer a wealth of benefits for gardeners:
International:
Regional:
Specific Plant Category Awards:
Additional Awards:
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 is a breakdown of the key aspects of the AGM:
What it signifies:
Awarding process:
Benefits for gardeners:
Additional resources:
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'.
The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) chooses a Perennial Plant of the Year annually. Here are some recent winners:
Winning the Perennial Plant of the Year is quite a process. Here is a breakdown of the considerations:
1. Nomination:
2. Evaluation Criteria:
The PPA has a committee that reviews all those nominations. They look for plants with these qualities:
3. Selection Process:
In a nutshell, the Perennial Plant of the Year needs to be a real standout: beautiful, adaptable, and easy to grow for gardeners of all levels.
You will notice some common threads among these winners:
2023: Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'
2022: Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) and cultivars
2021: Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta (Lesser Calamint)
2020: Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Sun King Golden Japanese Spikenard)
2019: Stachys monieri 'Hummelo' (Hummelo Betony)
2018: Allium 'Millenium'
2017: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
2016: Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert' (Japanese Anemone)
2015: Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'
2014: Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' (Northwind Switch Grass)
2013: Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' (Variegated Solomon's Seal)
2012: Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (Jack Frost Brunnera)
2011: Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas Amsonia)
2010: Baptisia australis (Blue Wild Indigo)
2009: Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Golden Hakone Grass)
2008: Geranium 'Rozanne'
2007: Nepeta 'Walker's Low' (Walker's Low Catmint)
2006: Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Fire Witch' (Fire Witch Cheddar Pinks)
2005: Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten Rose)
2004: Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' (Japanese Painted Fern)
2003: Leucanthemum x superbum 'Becky' (Becky Shasta Daisy)
2002: Phlox paniculata 'David' (David Phlox)
2001: Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass)
2000: Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue' (Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower)
1999: Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan)
1998: Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' (Magnus Purple Coneflower)
1997: Salvia x sylvestris 'May Night' ('Mainacht') (May Night Salvia)
1996: Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' (Husker Red Beardtongue)
1995: Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
1994: Astilbe 'Sprite' (Sprite Astilbe)
1993: Veronica spicata 'Sunny Border Blue' (Sunny Border Blue Speedwell)
1992: Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' (Moonbeam Tickseed)
1991: Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple' (Palace Purple Coral Bells)
There are two main hosta associations in the US, and they both give out awards:
1. The American Hosta Growers Association (AHGA)
2. The American Hosta Society (AHS)
This organization focuses more on the collector and enthusiast side of hostas. They have a multi-tiered award system recognizing different aspects of hosta excellence:
These awards highlight the diversity and excellence of hostas, from the most widely available cultivars to the rarest and most innovative introductions. They recognize the efforts of hybridizers, growers, and gardeners who contribute to the beauty and enjoyment of hostas.
It is worth noting that while the AHGA focuses on readily available cultivars, the AHS awards often go to hostas that might be rarer or newer, recognizing their potential impact on the hosta world.
Award-Winning Hostas: A Gardener's Guide to the American Hosta Growers Association's "Hosta of the Year"
Hostas, the beloved shade-loving perennials, offer an incredible diversity of foliage, from diminutive miniatures to giants with leaves exceeding a foot in length. Each year, the American Hosta Growers Association (AHGA) bestows the prestigious "Hosta of the Year" award upon a cultivar that exemplifies excellence in beauty, garden performance, and widespread availability.
The AHGA Hosta of the Year is chosen through a voting process by AHGA members, recognizing cultivars that are both beautiful and widely accessible to the gardening public.
Let us delve into the world of these award-winning hostas, exploring their unique characteristics and what makes them stand out in the garden.
Hosta of the Year Winners
Conclusion
The American Hosta Growers Association's "Hosta of the Year" award winners represent the pinnacle of hosta breeding and selection. These exceptional cultivars offer a diverse array of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, ensuring that there is a perfect hosta for every garden. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a novice gardener, exploring the world of award-winning hostas is sure to inspire and delight.
The Benedict Garden Performance Awards, presented by the American Hosta Society, celebrate outstanding hosta cultivars that demonstrate exceptional beauty and reliable performance in the garden. These awards highlight the diversity and adaptability of hostas, recognizing those that thrive in a variety of conditions and provide lasting enjoyment for gardeners.
Here is a look at the award winners over the years, displaying the top performers in the hosta world:
2024
2023
2022 - 2010
(For brevity, these years are summarized.)
The Benedict Garden Performance Awards continued to recognize a diverse selection of hostas, including:
Key Takeaways
Want to learn more?
You can find the complete list of Benedict Garden Performance Award winners on the American Hosta Society website. It is a great resource for exploring the diversity and beauty of hostas!
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018 – 2014 summarized