Each year the members of the Perennial Plant Association select a new Perennial Plant of the Year based on the following criteria:
- suitable for a wide range of climate types
- low maintenance
- easily propagated
- easily comes true from seed or vegetative propagation
- exhibits multiple seasonal interest
2013 Polygonatum o. 'Variegatum'
2012 Brunnera m. 'Jack Frost'
2011 Amsonia hubrichtii
2010 Baptisia australis
2009 Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
2008 Geranium 'Rozanne' PP12175
2007 Nepeta faasssenii 'Walker's Low'
2006 Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch'
2005 Helleborus x hybridus
2004 Athyrium n. 'Pictum'
2003 Leucanthemum 'Becky'
2002 Phlox p. 'David'
2001 Calamagrostis acultiflora 'Karl Foerster'
2000 Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'
1999 Rudbeckia f. 'Goldsturm'
1998 Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'
1997 Salvia nemerosa 'May Night'
1996 Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
1995 Perovskia atriplicifolia
1994 Astilbe 'Sprite'
1993 Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'
1992 Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'
1991 Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple'