Award of Garden Merit Winners

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Hosta

Hemerocallis

Sedum

Heuchera

Phlox

Whitehall

Echinacea

Iris

Helleborus

Dianthus

Coreopsis

Astilbe

Hibiscus

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Monarda

Clematis

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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:

Hakonechloa

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (30)ct Flat

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Helictotrichon

Helictotrichon sempervirens (25) BR Plants

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Helictotrichon

Helictotrichon sempervirens (30)ct Flat

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Now: $219.64

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Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis 'Always Afternoon' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $241.72

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Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis 'Ruby Spider' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $285.07

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Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis 'Strawberry Candy' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $246.06

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Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (4) 1-gallons

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Now: $116.88

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Hosta

Hosta 'Angel Falls' PP28785 (20)ct Flat

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Now: $263.81

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Hosta

Hosta 'Beyond Glory' PP28784 (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Big Daddy' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Blue Angel' (20)ct Flat

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Hakonechloa

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (30)ct Flat

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'(30)ct FlatCommon Name: Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass, Ornamental Grass An intriguing grass for the shade which is perfect for the formal Japanese garden. Variegated but nearly all yellow, the leaf blades have narrow...

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Now: $298.27
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Helictotrichon

Helictotrichon sempervirens (25) BR Plants

Helictotrichon sempervirens (25) Bare Root Plants Common name: Grass-Ornamental, Blue Oat Grass. Blue Oat grass looks like a miniature water fountain, with its densely packed leaves gently spraying upward and arching back downward at the tips. This...

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Now: $202.74
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Helictotrichon

Helictotrichon sempervirens (30)ct Flat

Helictotrichon sempervirens (30)ct Flat Common name: Grass-Ornamental, Blue Oat Grass. Blue Oat grass looks like a miniature water fountain, with its densely packed leaves gently spraying upward and arching back downward at the tips. This species...

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Now: $219.64
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Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis 'Always Afternoon' (25) BR Plants

Hemerocallis 'Always Afternoon' (Morss 1987) (25) Bare Root PlantsCommon Name: Daylily 5½", dusky rose self with a striking plum purple eyezone and a green throat Petals are crimped with thin buff pink edges, sepals are smooth Semi-evergreen...

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Now: $241.72
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Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis 'Ruby Spider' (25) BR Plants

Hemerocallis 'Ruby Spider' Daylily (Stamile, 1991) (25) Bare Root PlantsRAINBOW RHYTHM® CollectionCommon Name: Daylily One look and it’s easy to see why this incredible daylily is a multiple award winner! The gigantic 9”, dark...

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Now: $285.07
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Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis 'Strawberry Candy' (25) BR Plants

Hemerocallis 'Strawberry Candy' Daylily (Stamile 1989) (25) bare root clumps 4.5', strawberry-pink self with a bright raspberry-red eyezone notched at the midribs Orange-gold watermark and a small green throat Tightly compressed ruffles on the...

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Now: $246.06
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Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (20)ct Flat

'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' Hosta (20)ct Flat Medium to Large. Dark blue-green, seersuckered leaves with heavy substance display a unique cupped form up to 3" deep.Demonstrates good slug resistance. White flowers appear just above the foliage...

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Now: $232.63
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Hosta

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (4) 1-gallons

'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' Hosta (4) 1-gallons Medium to Large. Dark blue-green, seersuckered leaves with heavy substance display a unique cupped form up to 3" deep.Demonstrates good slug resistance. White flowers appear just above the...

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Now: $116.88
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Hosta

Hosta 'Angel Falls' PP28785 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Angel Falls' PP28785 (20)ct Flat A variegated sport of the multiple award winning solid green Hosta ‘Niagara Falls’. If you like ‘Bridal Falls’, try this new large hosta for its reverse variegation. ‘Angel...

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Now: $263.81
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Hosta

Hosta 'Beyond Glory' PP28784 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Beyond Glory' PP28784 (20)ct Flat This sport of ‘Old Glory’ goes above and beyond its parent with its attractive, very wide, dark green margins. The margins measure about 3” at the widest point, more than twice the width...

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Now: $263.81
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Hosta

Hosta 'Big Daddy' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Big Daddy' (20)ct Flat Large. Described as one of the best large blue hostas available, 'Big Daddy' forms a very large mass of thick, chalky blue leaves. The rounded leaves become cupped and puckered when mature. Heavy substance helps to make...

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Now: $232.63
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Hosta

Hosta 'Blue Angel' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Blue Angel' (Aden 1986) (20)ct Flat Very Large. Giant blue leaves are broadly oval shape, heavily corrugated and thick substance with rippled margin. Leaves can reach 18 inches long by 12 inches wide. Very upright Hosta horizontally held...

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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?