2013 Perennial Plant of the Year

 

Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ or Variegated Solomon’s Seal has been named the 2013 Perennial Plant of the year by the Perennial Plant Association.

This shade-loving ground cover was picked for it’s hardiness in a wide planting zone range (Zones 4 to 8) .  Growing 18 to 24-inches tall and wide, the plant spreads by underground rhizomes to form “colonies” or mass plantings.  Solomon’s Seal is an excellent choice for the shady to partly sunny woodland garden as its variegated foliage can be used to lighten up a dark or shady spot in the garden.  The plant is known better for its arching evergreen leaves that are lush and variegated than for its hanging white flowers that bloom in Spring. 

 

Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) is an excellent companion plant for Variegated Solomon’s Seal!  And you all know that I am a HUGE fan of planting bulbs in with groundcovers.  I do it all the time in my practice - it gives more seasonal interest to a mass of groundcover.

 

You’ll want to plant Solomon’s Seal in a shady spot that is moist but well-drained.  Variegated Solomon’s Seal is an excellent low-growing ground cover that will colonize but not spread all over the garden.

 

 

Each year, Perennial Plant Award winners are chosen by the members of the Perennial Plant Association for the plant's beauty, durability, suitability to a wide range of climate types, low maintenance, multiple seasonal interest, and easy growing nature.

2009 Perennial Plant of the Year

The Perennial Plant Association has named the 2009 Perennial of the Year and it is Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola' .

Each year the Plant of the Year is chosen by a vote from the Perennial Plant Association members. Members nominate plants for Plant of the Year based on the following criteria:

• Suitable for a wide range of climatic conditions
• Low maintenance
• Pest and disease resistant
• Readily available in the year of release
• Multiple season of ornamental interest
• Easily propagated by asexual or seed propagation

Otherwise known as Japanese Forest Grass, this plant grows in Zones 5 through 9 in full sun to part shade. It will take full sun in the north and requires at least part shade in the hotter south. It prefers moist hummus-rich, well drained soils and will not do well in heavy clay. It grows to 18” in height to 3’ wide.

The bright variegated color should succeed in brightening up dark shady places. I think broader leaved plants such as hostas or fatsias would make a nice contrast to the Japanese Forest Grass, as well as brightly colored oriental lilys or even impatiens. Alliums would be fascinating poking out of this stuff!

It makes a nice plant to view up close and personal and its weeping habit would certainly draw the eye down to the horizontal surface of any water feature or patio.

Isn’t it a beauty?!

I can’t wait to try it in my own garden this year!

This week, I'm hooked on perennials. To see what others are hooked on this Friday, go visit Hooked on Houses.