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 Winning
Perennials for Your Gardens
By Melinda Myers
[January 03, 2026]
When creating a new garden or looking for new additions, check out
the Perennial Plants of the Year (PPOY). Selected by members of the
Perennial Plant Association, winners must be suited to a wide range
of climate conditions, low maintenance, and provide multiple seasons
of interest.
The 2026 PPOY is Blackhawks big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii
‘Blackhawks’), a cultivar of one of the dominant grasses of the
North American tallgrass prairies. Its smaller stature makes it
easier for most gardeners to include in home landscapes. It grows
five feet tall and two feet wide as opposed to the species that can
grow up to eight feet tall and readily self-seed, dominating a
garden.
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Combine Blackhawks big bluestem grass with other early and late
season perennials in natural and cottage-style gardens. Watch as the
foliage emerges dark green in the spring then develops red tips in
summer and ends the season with deep purple leaves and stems. Its
three-parted flower tops the plant in late summer, providing
additional texture and motion in the garden.
Grow Blackhawks in full sun with well-drained soil. It is hardy in
zones three to nine and drought tolerant once established. Just cut
it back in late winter or early spring and watch as new growth
emerges.
This grass combines nicely with past winning perennials. The
Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), a 2011 winner, is still
popular thanks to its fine foliage that turns amber in the fall.
This, along with its light blue, star-shaped flowers that appear in
late spring to early summer, provide season long beauty. It is hardy
in zones four to nine, drought tolerant once established and the
deer tend to leave it be.
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) was selected as the 2022
Perennial Plant of the Year. This North American native grass adds
beauty, texture and motion to the landscape. Grow the species or one
of the cultivars like Jazz, The Blues, Standing Ovation or Blue
Heaven that is best suited to your growing region.
Calamint (Calamintha nepeta nepeta), the 2021 winner, is a
long-blooming, drought-tolerant perennial. Its small white flowers
cover the plant summer through fall, attracting bees and other
pollinators while deer tend to leave it alone. It works well with
ornamental and native grasses and other perennials in meadow,
natural or more formal gardens.
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For those shadier spots in your landscape consider Aralia ‘Sun
King’. It grows best in full to part shade where the bold foliage
combines nicely with other shade-loving perennials. A bit of sun
increases the yellow in the leaves while they are more chartreuse
colored in shadier spots.
Variegated Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’)
is another shade-tolerant PPOY. The upright arching stems, subtle
leaf variegation and yellow fall color make it a welcome addition to
any shade garden. Its fragrant white flowers appear in late spring
and dangle from the stems and are followed by bluish-black berries
in fall.
Consider one or more of the Perennial Plants of the Year as you
create your 2026 plant list. Then watch for future winners suited to
your garden design.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books,
including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small
Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything”
instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s
Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and
contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned
by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com]
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