Perennial Plant of the Year
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The Perennial Plant Association has chosen Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ as 2012 Perennial of the Year. This honor is bestowed upon plants that meet certain criteria, including suitability to a wide range of climate types, multiple-season interest, ease of culture, low maintenance requirements, and relative pest-and disease-resistance. |
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Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ is a very showy perennial which provides ornamental qualities throughout the year. In spring, sprays of small sky blue flowers adorn the mound-shaped plants. Brunnera is sometimes called Hardy Forget-Me-Not because of the color and shape of the flowers. The foliage is perhaps the best ornamental feature; the enchanting heart-shaped silver leaves are strongly veined deep green, which gives them a crackled porcelain effect.
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ grows best in shade but will tolerate morning sun if the soil stays moist. By midday, shade is important particularly in hot climates, in order to prevent wilting and burning of the leaf edges.
At 12-18” tall with equal width, Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ is effective when used at the front of the shade border, and combines beautifully with shade perennials such as hosta, fern, Heuchera, and Epimedium. The plants also lend themselves well to container arrangements because they are attractive all season long. |
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| Previous Perennial Plant of the Year Selections include: | |
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Amsonia hubrichtii as 2011 Perennial of the Year. |
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Baptisia australis as 2010 Perennial of the Year. |
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Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ as 2009 Perennial of the Year. |
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Geranium ‘Rozanne’ as 2008 Perennial of the Year |
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Perennial Plant of the Year 2007
Nepta 'Walker's Low'
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2006 – Dianthus ’Firewitch’
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 | 2005 – Helleborus orientalis - Hellebore |
| 2004 – Athyrium japonicum ‘Pictum’ – Japanese Painted Fern |
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| 2003 – Leuchanthemum ‘Becky’ – Shasta Daisy ‘Becky’ |
| 2002 – Phlox paniculata ‘David’ |
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 | 2001 – Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ – Feather Reed Grass |
| 2000 – Scabiosa ‘Butterfly Blue’ |
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 | 1999 – Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ |
| 1998 – Echinacea ‘Magnus’ – Purple Coneflower ‘Magnus’ |
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 | 1997 – Salvia ‘May Night’ (Mainacht) |
| 1996 – Penstemon ‘Husker’ Red’ |
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 | 1995 – Perovskia atriplicifolia --Russian Sage |
| 1994 – Astilbe simplicifolia ‘Sprite’ |
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 | 1993 – Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’ |
| 1992 -- Coreopsis Moonbeam |
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 | 1991 – Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ |
| 1990 – Phlox stolonifera – Woodland Phlox |
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