Green Thumb Garden Centre

2025 Perennial of the Year: Mountain Mint

19 Sep 2025

2025’s selection is a native plant to meadows and woodlands of North America, Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum). It is not part of the mint family but... Read More

2024 Perennial of the Year: Jeana

19 Sep 2025

2024’s selection is ‘Jeana’, a Phlox paniculata that is quite resistant to powdery mildew. Don’t overcrowd ‘Jeana’ – like most garden phlox, air circulation is imperative. ... Read More

2023 Perennial of the Year: American Gold Rush

08 Jun 2023

This year’s selection is a black eyed susan ‘American Gold Rush’. It is on the cusp of hardiness for Ottawa, however 2023 has also been... Read More

Perennial of the Year: Little Bluestem

08 Jun 2022

This year’s winner is Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, and its cultivars. It is a bit unusual to include ‘its cultivars’ but it seems that this... Read More

2020 Perennial of the Year: Aralia – ‘Sun King’

17 Apr 2020

This year’s winner is Aralia ‘Sun King’ – it can be quite large, almost shrub-like (up to 6’ x 6’), and is very hardy for... Read More

2019 Perennial of the Year: Stachys – ‘Hummelo’

30 Apr 2019

This year’s winner is Stachys – ‘Hummelo’ or betony, in the same family as lamb’s ears, but it looks very different and is a long... Read More

2018 Perennial of the Year: Allium ‘millenium’

18 Apr 2018

This year’s winner is Allium ‘millenium’ – also known as the millenium ornamental onion. Unlike some allium, this is not a bulb. It is an herbaceous perennial, meaning... Read More

2017 Perennial of the Year: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

25 Apr 2017

This year’s winner is Acslepias tuberosa – also known as butterfly weed…this cultivated plant is an alternative to housing milkweed from a natural setting in... Read More

2016 perennial of the year: Anemone x hybrid (Japanese anemone or windflower) ‘Honorine Jobert’

31 Mar 2016

Photo courtesy of Heritage Perennials The Perennial Plant Association is a North American group of growers, garden designers, nursery and garden centre owners. This group votes for... Read More

This year’s winner is Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ – a compact plant at 6 – 10” high (up to 25cm) with fragrant foliage (often touted for... Read More

2014 perennial of the year: Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ or switchgrass

01 Feb 2014

Photo courtesy of Heritage Perennials This year’s winner is Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ or switchgrass – a great addition to a sunny garden, where you can... Read More

2013 Perennial Plant of the Year: Variegated Solomon’s Seal

01 Feb 2013

Photo courtesy of Heritage Perennials This year’s winner is Variegated Solomon’s Seal or Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ – another great addition to a part-shady to shady... Read More

2012 perennial of the year: Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’

01 Feb 2012

The 2012 winner is Brunnera ‘Jack Frost” — just a great addition to a shady garden. The wide heart shaped leaves shimmer with a frosty... Read More

2011 perennial of the year: Amsonia hubrichtii

01 Feb 2011

The 2011 winner is Thread leaf Blue Star/Arkansas Blue Star/Blue star flower (Amsonia hubrichtii), a native North American plant with bright green fern-like foliage in... Read More

2010 perennial of the year: Baptisia australis

01 Feb 2010

The 2010 winner is false indigo (baptisia australis), a native North American plant with grey-green foliage, and lovely dark blue pea-like flowers over a long... Read More

2009 perennial of the year: Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’

01 Feb 2009

The 2009 choice is Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ — a perennial ornamental grass, originally from Japan. It’s commonly referred to as Japanese Forest Grass or Hakone... Read More

2008 perennial of the year: Geranium ‘Rozanne’

01 Feb 2008

The 2008 choice is Geranium ‘Rozanne’ — a perennial geranium. ‘Rozanne’ naturally grows in a clump – and is ideal as an edger or a... Read More

2007 perennial of the year: Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’

01 Feb 2007

The 2007 choice is Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ — one of the catmint varieties and a very long bloomer. Catmint is a sun lover (although it... Read More

2006 perennial of the year: Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’ (Firewitch)

01 Feb 2006

The 2006 choice is Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’ (Firewitch) – one of the Cheddar Pinks from the Caryophyllaceae family. Dianthus are a large group of plants... Read More

2005 perennial of the year: Helleborus x hybridus

01 Feb 2005

The 2005 choice is Helleborus x hybridus from the Ranunculacae or buttercup family. The hellebore, or Lenten rose, prefers a shady or partly shady location... Read More

2004 perennial of the year: Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’

01 Feb 2004

The 2004 choice is Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ or Japanese Painted Fern. Like most ferns, it prefers a shady or part shady location (morning, not afternoon,... Read More

2003 perennial of the year: Leucanthum x superbum ‘Becky’

01 Feb 2003

The 2003 choice is Leucanthum x superbum ‘Becky’. This classic Shasta daisy is an excellent cut flower, with large single white flowers and deep green... Read More

2002 perennial of the year: Phlox paniculata ‘David’

01 Feb 2002

This year’s selection is the Phlox paniculata ‘David’. It’s an upright plant, 36″ to 40″ (90 to 100 cm) tall, with glossy green leaves and... Read More

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