Perennial Of The Year: Your Ultimate Guide To Low-Maintenance Garden

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever stood in a garden center, overwhelmed by choices, just wishing someone would point you to a plant that’s guaranteed to be a winner? A flower that’s beautiful, reliable, and won’t demand all your time? I know that feeling well.

I promise you, there’s a secret shortcut to finding these garden all-stars. In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to unlock the magic of the perennial of the year, a special designation given to one outstanding plant each year.

We’ll explore what this award means, how to grow this year’s top pick to perfection, and why these plants are a game-changer for creating a gorgeous, sustainable, and low-effort garden. Get ready to meet your new favorite flower!

What Exactly is the Perennial of the Year (and Why Should You Care)?

Think of it like the Oscars, but for plants! Every year since 1990, the Perennial Plant Association (PPA)—a group of professional growers, designers, and horticulturists—selects one exceptional perennial to receive this prestigious title.

This isn’t just about a pretty face. To be crowned the perennial of the year, a plant must meet some seriously tough criteria:

  • Versatility: It has to thrive in a wide range of climates.
  • Low Maintenance: It shouldn’t require constant fussing, pruning, or spraying.
  • Pest & Disease Resistance: It must be naturally tough and resilient.
  • Multi-Season Interest: It should look great for more than just a few weeks.
  • Accessibility: It needs to be easy for gardeners to find and buy.

In short, the PPA does the hard work for us. They trial and test thousands of plants to find the ones that truly perform. When you choose one of these winners, you’re not just buying a plant; you’re investing in a proven, reliable garden hero.

Meet the Star: A Spotlight on a Recent Winner

To give you a real-world example of what makes these plants so special, let’s look at a recent winner: Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’. This isn’t your grandmother’s garden phlox that was always covered in powdery mildew! ‘Jeana’ is a superstar for a reason.

Discovered growing wild by the Harpeth River in Tennessee, this phlox boasts huge lavender-pink flower clusters that bloom from mid-summer all the way into early fall. But its real claim to fame? It has exceptional resistance to powdery mildew, the number one issue that plagues other garden phlox varieties.

Even better, ‘Jeana’ is a pollinator magnet. In trials, it attracted more Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies than any other plant. It’s a perfect example of a plant that is both stunningly beautiful and a powerhouse for creating a healthy, vibrant ecosystem in your backyard.

Your Complete Perennial of the Year Guide: From Planting to Thriving

Alright, let’s get our hands dirty! Growing a perennial of the year is incredibly rewarding because they are bred for success. Here is your complete perennial of the year care guide, using ‘Jeana’ phlox as our main example. Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners!

Choosing the Right Spot

Location, location, location! It’s as true in gardening as it is in real estate. Most PPA winners, including ‘Jeana’ phlox, thrive in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is particularly good for helping dew evaporate quickly, which helps prevent fungal diseases.

Good air circulation is also key. Avoid cramming your plants too tightly together. Giving them a little breathing room is one of the best perennial of the year tips for keeping them healthy and disease-free.

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Soil Preparation: The Foundation of Success

Healthy soil means healthy plants. Perennials prefer “well-draining” soil. This just means soil that doesn’t stay soggy like a wet sponge after it rains. If you have heavy clay soil, you can improve it by mixing in some compost or other organic matter.

This simple step helps break up the clay, allowing roots to breathe and water to drain properly. Think of it as giving your new plant a five-star hotel to live in.

How to Plant Your Perennial of the Year

Planting is easy when you follow these simple steps. This is the core of our how to perennial of the year section, and you’ll see it’s a breeze.

  1. Dig the Right Hole: Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the pot the plant came in, but no deeper. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil.
  2. Gently Tease the Roots: Carefully remove the plant from its pot. If the roots are tightly wound in a circle, gently loosen them with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward into the new soil.
  3. Place and Backfill: Set the plant in the center of the hole. Fill the hole back in with the soil you removed, gently patting it down around the base of the plant to remove air pockets.
  4. Water Thoroughly: Give your newly planted perennial a deep, slow drink of water. This helps settle the soil and reduces transplant shock.

Watering and Mulching

For the first few weeks, water your new plant every few days to help it get established. Once it’s settled in, most PPA winners are quite drought-tolerant. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply once a week during dry spells, rather than giving it a light sprinkle every day.

Applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (like shredded bark or compost) around the base of the plant is a gardener’s best friend. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, keeps weeds down, and regulates soil temperature. Just be sure to keep it from touching the plant’s stem.

The Amazing Benefits of Perennial of the Year Winners

So, why go out of your way to find these specific plants? The benefits of perennial of the year winners extend far beyond just being pretty. They are chosen to make your life as a gardener easier and more enjoyable.

  • Reliability and Vigor: These plants are tough cookies. They have been proven to perform consistently year after year with minimal fuss.
  • Cost-Effective: Because they are perennials, they come back every year. You plant them once and enjoy them for seasons to come, saving you money in the long run.
  • Eco-Friendly Choices: Many winners are native or support local wildlife, making them a cornerstone of a sustainable perennial of the year garden. They often require less water and fewer chemical interventions.
  • Confidence for Beginners: If you’re new to gardening, starting with a PPA winner is like setting yourself up for a guaranteed win. Their resilience builds confidence and makes gardening fun, not frustrating.

Sustainable Gardening: Eco-Friendly Perennial of the Year Best Practices

Creating a garden that is beautiful and kind to the planet is one of the most rewarding things we can do. The PPA winners are fantastic choices for an eco-friendly perennial of the year garden design.

Support Pollinators: Plants like ‘Jeana’ phlox or past winners like ‘American Gold Rush’ Rudbeckia are buzzing with life. They provide essential nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which are crucial for a healthy ecosystem.

Conserve Water: Once established, these hardy perennials are often drought-tolerant, reducing your garden’s water consumption. Amending your soil with compost and using mulch are two of the best ways to maximize water efficiency.

Go Chemical-Free: Because these plants are selected for their superior disease and pest resistance, you can often avoid using chemical pesticides and fungicides. This protects beneficial insects and keeps your garden’s soil and water clean.

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Troubleshooting: Common Problems with the Perennial of the Year (and Easy Fixes)

Even the toughest plants can have an off day. The good news is that the common problems with perennial of the year winners are usually minor and easy to solve.

Problem: Powdery Mildew

What it looks like: A white, dusty coating on the leaves. While winners like ‘Jeana’ are highly resistant, no plant is 100% immune, especially in humid conditions with poor air circulation.

The Fix: Ensure good spacing between plants for airflow. Water at the base of the plant, not on the leaves. If you see it, you can try a simple organic spray of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a half-teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water.

Problem: Yellowing Leaves

What it looks like: The lower leaves on the plant are turning yellow.

The Fix: This is often a sign of overwatering. Check the soil before you water—if it’s still damp an inch down, wait another day or two. It can also indicate a nutrient deficiency, though this is less common in good garden soil.

Problem: Not Enough Flowers

What it looks like: A healthy-looking plant with very few blooms.

The Fix: The number one culprit is not enough sun. Make sure your plant is getting at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can also cause lush green growth at the expense of flowers. Stick to a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer if you feed your plants at all.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Perennial of the Year

Where can I find the Perennial of the Year?

Because one of the selection criteria is availability, you can usually find the current winner and past winners at your local independent garden center or through reputable online nurseries. Just ask for it by name!

Do I need to fertilize these plants?

Generally, no. If you have amended your soil with compost, that is often all they need. If your soil is poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in the spring is plenty. Over-fertilizing can do more harm than good.

What does it mean to “deadhead” a perennial?

Deadheading is simply the process of removing spent or faded flowers. For plants like phlox, snipping off the old flower clusters can encourage the plant to produce a second, smaller flush of blooms, extending its season of beauty.

Can I grow the Perennial of the Year in a container?

Absolutely! Many winners do wonderfully in pots. Just make sure you choose a large container with good drainage holes and use a quality potting mix. Remember that container plants will need to be watered more frequently than those in the ground.

Go Forth and Grow with Confidence!

The perennial of the year program is one of the best-kept secrets for creating a beautiful, thriving, and low-stress garden. By choosing these proven winners, you’re not just planting a flower—you’re planting with confidence.

You’re choosing plants that are tough, reliable, and beneficial to the world around them. So next time you’re at the nursery, look for these garden champions. You’ve got this!

Happy gardening!

Rimon Chowdhury
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