Award of Garden Merit Winners

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Hosta

Hemerocallis

Sedum

Heuchera

Phlox

Whitehall

Echinacea

Iris

Helleborus

Dianthus

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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:

Hosta

Hosta 'Blue Angel' (4) 1-gallons

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Now: $112.08

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Hosta

Hosta 'Captain Kirk' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $276.37

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Hosta

Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' PP17295 (20)ct Flat

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Now: $218.40

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Hosta

Hosta 'Dancing in the Moonlight' PP35175 (20)ct Flat

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Now: $254.88

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Hosta

Hosta 'Dream Weaver' (20)ct Flat

MSRP:

Now: $229.47

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Hosta

Hosta 'Earth Angel' (20)ct Flat

MSRP:

Now: $237.48

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Hosta

Hosta 'Elegans' (20)ct Flat

MSRP:

Now: $196.22

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Hosta

Hosta 'Fire and Ice' (20)ct Flat

MSRP:

Now: $237.48

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Hosta

Hosta 'Fire Island' (20)ct Flat

MSRP:

Now: $232.63

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Hosta

Hosta 'Fire Island' (4) 1-gallons

MSRP:

Now: $116.88

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Hosta

Hosta 'First Frost' (20)ct Flat

MSRP:

Now: $279.71

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Hosta

Hosta 'Francee' (25) BR Plants

MSRP:

Now: $207.07

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Hosta

Hosta 'Blue Angel' (4) 1-gallons

Hosta 'Blue Angel' (Aden 1986) (4) 1-gallons 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...

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Now: $112.08
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Hosta

Hosta 'Captain Kirk' (25) BR Plants

Hosta 'Captain Kirk' (Brill 1999) (25) Bare Root Plants An impressive, eye-catching large hosta; makes an excellent specimen plant An improved sport of 'Gold Standard' with much wider, dark green margins, gold centers, and heavier substance Pale...

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Now: $276.37
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Hosta

Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' PP17295 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' PP17295 (20)ct FlatCommon Name: Hosta Improving on his award-winning hybrid ‘Stained Glass’, this new selection from Hans Hansen is a large, tetraploid conversion. Like a brighter version of ‘Holy...

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Now: $218.40
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Hosta

Hosta 'Dancing in the Moonlight' PP35175 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Dancing in the Moonlight' PP35175 (20)ct Flat Common Name: HostaExtremely ruffled leaves give this Hosta the impression of 'dancing' in the shade garden. Leaf edges fold up to display ruffling that extends from the tip of the leaf down the length...

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Now: $254.88
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Hosta

Hosta 'Dream Weaver' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Dream Weaver' (B. Reutenik, K. Walek 96) (20)ct Flat Medium - Large. A sport of 'Great Expectations' Large, distinctive leaves have very wide, blue-green margins and sharply contrasting creamy white centers Leaves are nearly round and...

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Now: $229.47
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Hosta

Hosta 'Earth Angel' (20)ct Flat

'Earth Angel' Hosta (Hansen/Shady Oaks Nursery 2002) Medium to Large. A superb introduction from Hans Hansen. A sport of 'Blue Angel' Large, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves with wide, creamy-white margins that are creamy yellow in spring. Nicely...

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Now: $237.48
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Hosta

Hosta 'Elegans' (20)ct Flat

Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' (AHS 1987) (20)ct Flat Huge 10x9", blue-gray, rounded leaves They become heavily textured and corrugated as they mature; slug resistant Blue leaf color is best achieved in light sun White flowers bloom in clusters...

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Now: $196.22
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Hosta

Hosta 'Fire and Ice' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Fire and Ice' (Hansen/Shady Oaks Nursery, 1999) Small - Medium. Pure white centers and very dark green margins. Upright with twisted, moderately folded, broadly ovate leaves. Lavender flowers on white flower stems. Parentage: sport of Patriot. The...

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Now: $237.48
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Hosta

Hosta 'Fire Island' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Fire Island' (Brinka 1998) (20)ct Flat A small to medium sized hosta that is hard to miss in the spring garden Leaves emerge brilliant yellow on red petioles; red coloring extends from the base of the petiole up into the leaves As the...

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Now: $232.63
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Hosta

Hosta 'Fire Island' (4) 1-gallons

'Fire Island' Hosta (4) 1-gallons Small - Medium. Brilliant yellow, intensely wavy, broadly ovate leaves and light red petioles with red coloration extending into leaf base. Mature size about 14 inches high and 34 inches wide, mound-like with...

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Now: $116.88
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Hosta

Hosta 'First Frost' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'First Frost' (20)ct Flat A sport of 'Halcyon' with the same intense blue-green leaf center Emerges with a gold margin early in the spring, then changes to pure white later in the season The leaves hold up well in the garden all season long...

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Now: $279.71
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Hosta

Hosta 'Francee' (25) BR Plants

'Francee' Hosta (M. Klopping/AHS 1986) (25) bare root clumps Medium to dark green, somewhat glossy, heart-shaped leaves have narrow, clean white margins Variegation holds up very well in sun Forms a wide, low mound of foliage making it...

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Now: $207.07
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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?