Perennial Plant Assoc. members have begun voting for the 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year. Voting ends on Oct. 15. The 4 nominated plants are: Amsonia hubrichtii, which has feathery, needle-like foliage, and can be grown in full sun to partial shade. In mid to late spring, the 2- to 3-foot plant becomes covered with powdery blue, star-shaped flowers. In fall, the foliage turns a golden color with hints of orange. It is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. Heliopsis helianthoides is a compact, upright, clump-forming plant that reaches 2-3 feet tall. Its variegated white leaves with extensive green veining turn darker green as the season progresses. Golden yellow daisy flowers are produced from July to frost. It is hardy in Zones 4-9. Heuchera ‘Caramel’ is a vigorous, clump-forming plant with apricot-colored leaves and light pink flowers. This heat- and humidity-tolerant cultivar reaches 15 in. tall and 20 in. wide. It is hardy in Zones 4-8. Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ is a tall, erect switchgrass that produces olive-green to bluish-green narrow 4- to 5-ft. leaves. In late summer the plant is topped by airy, finely-textured, yellow flower panicles that bring the total plant height to 6 ft. The full sun plant is hardy in Zones 4-9.
Pictured: Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’
Photo courtesy of Perennial Plant Association