Award of Garden Merit Winners

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Hemerocallis

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Phlox

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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 'Gigantosaurus' PP35135 (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Gold Standard' (25) BR Plants

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Hosta

Hosta 'Golden Tiara' (25) BR Plants

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Hosta

Hosta 'Guacamole' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $276.37

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Hosta

Hosta 'Guacamole' (4) 1-gallons

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Hosta

Hosta 'Halcyon' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Hans' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'June' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'June' (4) 1-gallons

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Hosta

Hosta 'Liberty' PP#12,531 (20)ct Flat

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Now: $243.02

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Hosta

Hosta 'Lone Star' PP35134 (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Minuteman' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Gigantosaurus' PP35135 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Gigantosaurus' PP35135 CPBRAF (20)ct Flat Proven Winners® SHADOWLAND® Collection Common Name: HostaThe massive size and leaves of 'Gigantosaurus' will have your garden feeling like Jurassic Park. This variety will come roaring to life in...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Gold Standard' (25) BR Plants

'Gold Standard' Hosta (Banyai 1976) (25) bare root clumps Large. An ever-popular, classic hosta; large, ovate leaves have dark green marginsLeaf centers emerge light green in the spring and become progressively more gold towards early summer;...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Golden Tiara' (25) BR Plants

'Golden Tiara' Hosta (Savory 1977) (25) bare root clumps Small, heart-shaped, medium green leaves have wide, chartreuse margins that become gold when grown in sun.A compact grower showing good form, persistent color, and a fast-clumping habit;...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Guacamole' (25) BR Plants

'Guacamole' Hosta (Solberg 1994) (25) Bare Root Plants Huge, glossy, apple green leaves are surrounded by streaked, dark green leaf margins just like an avocadoLeaf centers become brighter gold in summer and when exposed to more sunlight while the...

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Now: $276.37
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Hosta

Hosta 'Guacamole' (4) 1-gallons

'Guacamole' Hosta (4) 1-gallons Huge, glossy, apple green leaves are surrounded by streaked, dark green leaf margins just like an avocado Leaf centers become brighter gold in summer and when exposed to more sunlight while the margins remain dark...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Halcyon' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Halcyon' (20)ct Flat A popular mid-sized, blue hosta; leaves are frosty blue-green and pointed A superb grower with thick leaves that demonstrate good slug resistance Pale blue-violet flowers appear on 28" scapes in midsummer Attracts both...

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Now: $232.63
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Hosta

Hosta 'Hans' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Hans' (20)ct Flat This sport of Hosta ‘Andrew’ has similar traits as its sibling, but with much more vigor, thanks to the green streaks that appear in late summer. Like ‘Andrew,’ ‘Hans’ has corrugated, puckered,...

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Now: $252.57
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Hosta

Hosta 'June' (20)ct Flat

'June' Hosta (Neo Plants 1991) A sport of 'Halcyon' Pointed, ovate leaves have distinct, beautiful variegation Leaves have wide, streaked, blue-green margins and chartreuse centers in spring. Leaf center becomes medium to light gold in summer...

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Hosta

Hosta 'June' (4) 1-gallons

'June' Hosta (Neo Plants 1991) (4) 1-gallons Medium. Light yellow with irregular, streaked, dark blue green margin. Mature size - 20 inches wide x 15 inch height. Lavender Flower. 2001 Hosta of the Year. sport of HALCYON. June develops a...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Liberty' PP#12,531 (20)ct Flat

'Liberty' Hosta (Machen 2000) (20)ct Flat A gorgeous sport of H. 'Sagae' Blue-green leaves have wide, dramatically streaked, yellow margins which fade to creamy-white later in the season They are of much heavier substance, providing greater slug...

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Now: $243.02
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Hosta

Hosta 'Lone Star' PP35134 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Lone Star' PP35134 CPBRAF (20)ct Flat Proven Winners® SHADOWLAND® Collection Common Name: HostaA green-centered sport of the popular 'Key West'. Leaves are a medium green with a vivid gold margin. Bright filtered shade draws out the most...

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Now: $266.76
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Hosta

Hosta 'Minuteman' (20)ct Flat

'Minuteman' Hosta (Machen 1994) (20)ct FlatMedium. A sport of 'Francee' Stunning, very dark green leaves are surrounded by a wide, pure white margin Leaves have good substance, and are sometimes cupped and slightly wavy Pale lavender striped...

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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?