Friday, January 30, 2015

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

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