The 2015 Perennial Plant of the Year™

Each year, members of the Perennial Plant Association from all across North America vote on their choice for Perennial Plant of the Year™.  PPA members vote for the Perennial Plant of the Year™ each summer. In addition to the vote, each member may also nominate up to two plants for future consideration. The Perennial Plant of the Year™ committee reviews the nominated perennials (more than 400 different perennials are often nominated each year), selecting 3 or 4 perennials to be placed on the ballot. Nominations generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

• Suitability for a wide range of climatic conditions
• Low-maintenance requirements
• Relative pest- and disease-resistance
• Ready availability in the year of promotion
• Multiple seasons of ornamental interest

Their choices:

2015 – Dwarf Cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’)
2014 – Tall Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’)
2013 – Japanese Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’)
2012 – Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’)
2011 – Arkansas Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii)
2010 – Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
2009 – Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macro ‘Aureola’)
2008 – Cranesbill Geranium (Geranium ‘Rozanne’)
2007 – Blue Catmint (Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’)
2006 – Border Pink (Dianthus Firewitch)
2005 – Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus mixture)
2004 – Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum)
2003 – Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Becky’)
2002 – Summer Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘David’)
2001 – Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’)
2000 – Dwarf Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’)
1999 – Golsturm Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)
1998 – Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’)
1997 – Perennial Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris May Night)
1996 – Beard-tongue (Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’)
1995 – Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
1994 – Dwarf Astilbe (Astilbe simplicifolia ‘Sprite’)
1993 – Hybrid Speedwell (Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’)
1992 – Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’)
1991 – Palace Purple Coral Bells (Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’)
1990 – Creeping Woodland Phlox (Phlox stolonifera)

(planted in my garden beds)

Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ is a low-growing hybrid, found originally in the mountains of Eastern Europe. Plants form a low, spreading mat of fragrant dark green leaves, bearing clusters of white flowers, with a tinge of soft pink. The very long flowering period makes it especially useful as a low groundcover or edging plant and in tubs or mixed containers. Fairly drought tolerant, once established. Easily divided in spring or early fall. Evergreen.

Sun Exposure   Full Sun or   Partial Shade Soil Type   Normal or   Sandy or   Clay Soil pH   Neutral or   Alkaline or   Acid Soil Moisture   Dry or   Moist Care Level   Easy

Flower Colour   Light Pink   White Blooming Time   Early Summer   Mid Summer   Late Summer   Late Spring Foliage Color   Deep Green Plant Uses & Characteristics   Accent: Good Texture/Form   Alpine & Rock   Border   Containers   Deer Resistant   Drought Tolerant   Edging   Rabbit Resistant   Evergreen   Fragrant   Ground Cover   Massed Flower Head Size   Small Height    15-20 cm    6-8 inches Spread    30-45 cm    12-18 inches Foot Traffic    Light Growth Rate    Medium