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:

Hosta

Hosta 'My Fair Lady' PP35524 (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Night before Christmas' (25) BR Plants

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Hosta

Hosta 'Patriot' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Patriot' (4) 1-gallons

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Hosta

Hosta 'Praying Hands' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $235.66

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Hosta

Hosta 'Regal Splendor' (25) BR Plants

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Hosta

Hosta 'Royal Standard' (25) BR Plants

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Hosta

Hosta 'Sound of Music' PP35563 (20)ct

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Hosta

Hosta 'Spartacus' (25) BR Plants

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Now: $259.09

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Hosta

Hosta 'Stained Glass' (20)ct Flat

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Hosta

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (20)ct Flat

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Now: $232.63

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Hosta

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (4) 1-gallons

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Now: $116.88

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Hosta

Hosta 'My Fair Lady' PP35524 (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'My Fair Lady' PP35524 (20)ct Flat Common Name: HostaUpright Hosta with cascading tri-colored foliage. Deep blue-green leaves have apple-green jetting around creamy yellow centers. Large white flowers are held on upright proportionate scapes...

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Now: $254.88
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Hosta

Hosta 'Night before Christmas' (25) BR Plants

NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Hosta (25) bare root clumps A mutation of H. 'White Christmas' with thicker leaves and wider leaf margins Huge, dark green leaves have striking creamy-white centers that change to pure white by midsummer Pale lavender,...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Patriot' (20)ct Flat

'Patriot' Hosta (J. Machem 1991) (20)ct Flat Medium. Ovate leaves have dark green centers and outstanding, crisp white, streaked margins (margins are creamy-yellow in spring) Leaves are of better than average substance, are slightly wavy, and...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Patriot' (4) 1-gallons

'Patriot' Hosta (J. Machem 1991) (4) 1-gallons Medium. Dark green center, cupped leaves have variable margin with white streaking toward center. Mature size - 30 inches wide by 12 inch height. Lavender Flower. sport of Francee. Hosta of the Year...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Praying Hands' (25) BR Plants

Hosta 'Praying Hands' (Williams 1996) (25) Bare Root Plants Small. Dark green with heavily rippled, narrow, twisted, shiny, leaves with thin gold margin. very upright, vertical habit with moderate growth rate. Upright, tightly folded leaves...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Regal Splendor' (25) BR Plants

REGAL SPLENDOR Hosta (Walters Gardens 1987)(25) Bare Root Plantss Large. Frosty blue leaves with variable creamy white to creamy yellow margins. Mature size - 38 inches wide by 36 inch height, upright. Light lavender flowers. sport of KROSSA REGAL...

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Hosta

Hosta 'Royal Standard' (25) BR Plants

'Royal Standard' Hosta (AHS 1986) (25) bare root clumps Large upright mounds of wavy, green, glossy, pointed leaves demonstrate both sun and drought tolerance; Fragrant, white flowers are perhaps the most fragrant hosta, more pronounced in the...

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Now: $207.07
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Hosta

Hosta 'Sound of Music' PP35563 (20)ct

Hosta 'Sound of Music' PP35563 CPBRAF (20)ct Flat Proven Winners® SHADOWLAND® Collection Common Name: HostaBring your garden alive with the 'Sound of Music'. This giant hosta will add immediate interest with heavily corrugated, medio variegated...

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Now: $266.76
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Hosta

Hosta 'Spartacus' (25) BR Plants

Hosta 'Spartacus' (25) Bare Root Plants Common Name: HostaThis green-centered sport of 'Sea Gulf Stream' has deeply veined leaves that form a dome-like shape with heavily rippled yellow margins. Pale lavender flowers in early to midsummer. Hostas are...

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Now: $259.09
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Hosta

Hosta 'Stained Glass' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Stained Glass' (20)ct Flat A sport of 'Guacamole' Huge, 10½" long, brilliant gold leaves with wide, dark green margins Variegation appears early in the season and prominent veins throughout give it the look of "stained glass" Large,...

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Now: $232.63
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Hosta

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (20)ct Flat

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (Arden 1980) (20)ct Flat Very large. One of the largest hostas available today, with 16", broadly ovate leaves and a huge, mounded form Leaf color varies with the amount of available sun from light green to...

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Now: $232.63
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Hosta

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' (4) 1-gallons

SUM and SUBSTANCE Hosta (Arden 1980) (4) 1-gallons One of the largest hostas available today, with 16' broadly ovate leaves and a huge, mounded form Leaf color varies with the amount of available sun from light green to chartreuse to gold; prefers...

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Now: $116.88
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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?