Perennial Plant of the Year 2023
Rudbeckia
“American Gold Rush”
Every year the Perennial Plant Association sends each member a ballot to select a Perennial Plant of The Year. These plants tend not to be new introductions to the garden world, but plants that have been tested and thus proven worthy for nomination. They need to be suitable for a wide range of climatic zones. The plant chosen must be low maintenance, relatively pest free, and disease resistant. It must have multiple seasons of ornamental interest and be readily available for the year of promotion. After the selection the plant is promoted all across Canada and continental U.S.A.
“And who is the Perennial Plant Association,” you might ask? Mostly, it is a large group of greenhouse growers, retailers, landscapers, horticultural teachers, and “plant geeks” that work in our huge industry. The membership is large, and people join from all around the world and meet once a year at an annual convention. Here, we listen to speakers, tour greenhouses and nurseries, have a trade show, and in general, find out what the others in the industry are up to.
It began in 1990, when the first Plant of the Year was Phlox stolonifera. Next was Heuchera micrantha “Palace Purple” and from that time on each year another perennial was picked and promoted.
Most of the time the plants selected by the Perennial Plant Association are very hardy. With the exception of a very few plants that are not hardy at all, Vale's Greenhouse has always been very pleased with the choices. The Perennial Plant of the Year for the 2023 gardening season is Rudbeckia "American Gold Rush".
‘American Gold Rush’ is a stunning focal point in the perennial border, butterflies cover the blooms into the fall. Large seed heads are loved by birds and flower arranges, birds love to eat the seeds that last well into the fall and are perfect for the winter landscape. Florists love the flowers and seed heads for arrangements, fresh or dry. Bright golden-yellow flowers with a dark chocolate center cone appear on sturdy think stems. The 3” flowers cover the compact growing plant that will grow to about 30” (76cm) tall. Dark green leaves and stems are covered with silvery hairs that give the whole plant a luminous effect.
A reliable and hardy perennial this Rudbeckia really puts on a show starting in mid-August and continues until a very hard frost. It loves to grow in a dry sunny garden. Try growing “American Gold Rush” with Salvia, and perennial grass for a fantastic late summer display.