Announcing the 2020 GCA Plant of the Year

The 2020 Freeman Medal winner Geum triflorum, A Stellar North American Native Plant

Geum triflorum, commonly known as prairie smoke, has been named the 2020 Plant of the Year by The Garden Club of America (GCA). Annually, the GCA identifies a stellar North American native plant to receive The Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal: Plant of the Year. 

Prairie smoke, an exquisite herbaceous perennial, is an early bloomer on prairies and a great nectar source for native long-tongued bees and butterflies, as well as native bumblebees and sweat bees. Although prairie smoke is being challenged by taller, non-native plants in its native mesic prairie sites, it is readily adaptable to many other areas. Tolerant of poor soil, moderate drought, heat, and humidity, Geum triflorum can be grown in sun or partial shade and is suitable for cottage gardens, prairies, meadows, and perennial beds. It is not favored by deer or burrowing animals. Geum triflorum is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7.

This medal was established in 1995 to highlight underutilized, but highly worthy, native trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, and perennials. The goal is to draw attention to select native plants, encourage their use in the landscape, and make them familiar to gardeners and more available in nurseries. The annual medal selection is carried out by a group of highly respected horticulturists from across the country. Woody and herbaceous plants are nominated in alternate years. The 2020 winners were selected from 23 herbaceous plants nominated by members of GCA clubs.          

Honorable Mention was awarded to Asarum canadense, wild ginger. This North American wild ginger, a shade-loving herbaceous perennial, colonizes to form a graceful ground cover that successfully competes with non-native plants. It is a food source for Battus philenor, pipevine swallowtail, is deer resistant, and unpalatable to other mammals. A low maintenance plant, it grows well in many different soil types. Asarum canadense is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-6. 

Honorable Mention was also awarded to Penstemon strictus, Rocky Mountain penstemon. This native penstemon is a prolific pollinator magnet, attracting butterflies, moths, and native bees. It is adaptable to both wild sites and garden settings and thrives in sandy loam, rocky soil, and even clay soil. Penstemon strictus is a vigorous, low maintenance perennial suitable for growing in sun or partial shade. Penstemon strictus is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.

Special Recognition was awarded to Zamia integrifolia, coontie, a native of the southeastern United States (GA and FL) and parts of the West Indies. Z. integrifolia is the only cycad native to the United States. Coontie was harvested almost to extinction during WWI, because its starchy roots were made into a mold-resistant flour that was sent overseas. Along with its comeback came the rediscovery of Eumaeus atala, Atala butterfly, which uses coontie as its host plant. Zamia integrifolia is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11.

2020 PHS Gold Medal Plants Announced

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has selected the 2020 Gold Medal Plants, recognizing exceptional plants for both home gardeners and professional landscapers. The PHS Gold Medal Plant Program spotlights outstanding trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials for gardens in the mid-Atlantic region (growing zones 5 to 7). Plants are chosen for their beauty, hardiness, and ecological benefits.

“PHS has incorporated these plants in many of the gardens and landscapes that we manage and can recommend them as reliable plants for our region’s growing conditions. Many promote pollinators and birds in the garden and are deer resistant,” said Julia Thomé, Director of Gardener Engagement at PHS. “A selection of Gold Medal Plants will be on display at the 2020 Flower Show, and PHS staff and volunteers are available to talk with you about these and other plant choices for the home garden.”

Since 1979, the Gold Medal Plant program has honored and promoted plants of outstanding merit. The program was originally conceived by noted nurseryman Dr. J. Franklin Styer, who realized homeowners and gardeners needed to learn about superior woody plants for their landscapes. Five years ago, PHS began including perennial plants in addition to woody plants, in its selections. Plants are nominated from submissions by home gardeners, garden designers, horticulturists, landscape architects, nursery owners, and propagators.

Once nominated, plants are reviewed by a committee of expert horticulturists led by Chairman Steve Mostardi of Mostardi Nursery. Through in-person discussions and an online rating system, the Gold Medal Plant Committee selects the winning plants, on a yearly basis, that meet the rigorous criteria for excellence set forth by PHS. Gardeners who acquire a Gold Medal designated plant can be assured the plant will exhibit standards of excellence for pest and disease resistance, as well as ease of growing when planted and maintained appropriately. To view a searchable database of all past and present winners, please visit phsonline.org/programs/gold-medal-plants/.

2020 PHS Gold Medal Plants
Aronia melanocarpa “Viking” | Black Chokeberry
Flowers bloom in spring, followed by showy black fruits and red fall foliage. Fruits are edible when cooked into jams, salsa, or baked goods. Plant in combination with Virginia bluebells, Bowman’s root and/or short-toothed mountain mint. Can be planted in mass as a screen. Deciduous shrub; height 3-6’; zones 3-8.

Carpinus caroliniana | American Hornbeam (aka Ironwood, Musclewood)
Small size understory tree, ideal for residential sites. Catkins in March give way to yellow nutlets in late summer. Yellow-orange fall foliage. Steel gray bark provides winter interest. Plant in combination with native viburnums, grasses, and/or sedges. Deciduous tree; height 20-30’; slow growing, zones 3-9.

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’ | Threadleaf Coreopsis
Bright yellow flowers, compact and upright, easy to grow in-ground or containers. Reblooms if sheared mid-summer. Great in combination with evergreen shrubs, Little Bluestem ornamental grass, native butterfly weed, and/or veronica. Herbaceous perennial; height 12-18”; zones 3-9.

Geranium X cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ | Cranesbill Geranium
Low growing and compact; will spread slowly as a groundcover. White flowers tinged with pink in spring. Plant in combination with a variety of bulbs such as daffodils or Allium ‘Summer Beauty,’ lady’s mantle, and/or fall blooming toad lilies. Herbaceous perennial; height 10-12”; zones 5-8.

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Haas’ Halo’ | Smooth Hydrangea
Large lacecap flowers, blue-green foliage. Spent flowers provide winter interest. Drought resistant once established. Plant in combination with the ninebark shrubs, Siberian bugloss, leadwort, Jacob’s ladder, smooth aster and/or reed grass. Deciduous, woody shrub; height approx. 4’; zones 3-9.

Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire’ | Russian Sage, Little Spire
Compact and erect sub-shrub, drought tolerant. Striking light blue to violet color flowers. Aromatic silvery foliage. Great in combination with purple coneflowers, phlox ‘Jeana,’ sneezeweed, betony, and/or Foerster’s feather reed grass. Woody perennial; height 2-3’; zones 5-9.

Come Out of Your Cave; The winter garden is full of promise and productivity.

Once the usual fall garden tasks are addressed — leaf raking, bulb planting, clearing of spent annuals — the yard warrior and avid gardener alike retreat indoors for the long winter. Take a moment to read this article written by Adrian Higgins in the Washington Post this week about the period between now and March that offers a chance to take charge of the garden outside the demands of the growing season in a productively unhurried way.