Spring Meadow launched the Landscape Plant of the Year program in 2016 to highlight a Proven Winners ColorChoice variety of particular interest to the landscape market. It proved so popular that we were asked by the Proven Winners Retail Advisory Board to expand it to garden centers and consumers. Starting in 2019, the Proven Winners National Plant of the Year program highlights a hydrangea of the year, a rose of the year,  flowering shrub of the year and landscape shrub of the year, in addition to its perennial and annual Plants of the Year. The Shrubs of the Year will be decided by a vote from our Gold Key growers. Selections will be made based on ease of growth, wide geographic and cultural adaptability, and retail appeal.

Hydrangea of the Year: LET'S DANCE LOVABLE® Hydrangea

It's a strong and reliable Let's Dance rebloomer that can produce hot pink or royal purple flowers. You'll also appreciate the dark glossy foliage that turns burgundy in autumn.

Rose of the Year: RISE UP LILAC DAYS® Rosa

This rose is one of the most unique roses to hit the North American market in years. Between its unique lilac-blue color and powerful, heady fragrance, it will practically fly off the bench at the garden center! Its versatile habit allows it to be grown as a climber or a shrub, making it the ideal addition to landscapes and gardens. 

Flowering Shrub of the Year: DOUBLE PLAY DOLLY® Spirea

A whole new color combination for spirea with unique purple flowers atop clean yellow foliage. Growers, retailers, and homeowners will appreciate its neat and compact habit in a container and in the landscape.

Landscape Shrub of the Year: LIMELIGHT PRIME® Hydrangea

An improved, more refined Limelight with darker, healthier-looking foliage, stronger stems, and a more compact growth habit. The blooms emerge a vivid lime green and maintain that color longer, often until they transition into a bubblegum pink. The blooms eventually finish a rich, punch pink. It makes a better-looking container, and finishes just as quickly as 'Limelight'.

Heat Loving Shrub of the Year: JAZZ HANDS VARIEGATED® Loropetalum

This is the first-ever variegated Chinese fringe flower. New growth emerges splashed with pink and white and matures to a deep purple. Streamer-like pink flowers appear in spring, but foliage is the real show with this unique selection.

Tree of the Year: SHOW TIME® Crabapple

The large, densely clustered fuchsia-red flowers turn the branches into columns of lush color. Deep green foliage has red tones of its own, especially as it emerges. In fall, red fruits glisten among the bright orange and red leaves. Oval, upright habit lends a touch of formality as a specimen or street tree.

Shrubs and tree of the Year will receive additional promotion to landscapers, retailers, and consumers in print, radio, and online, including on the Proven Winners Plant of the Year website.

To help you plan your production and shipping, we are pleased to share future Shrubs of the Year:

2027:

Landscape Shrub of the Year: KODIAK® Red 2.0 Diervilla

Rose of the Year: OSO EASY EN FUEGO® Rose

Hydrangea of the Year: PUFFER FISH® Panicle Hydrangea

Flowering Shrub of the Year: BLOOMERANG BALLET® Reblooming Lilac

Heat Loving Shrub of the Year: RICO SUAVE™ Tropical Hibiscus

Tree of the Year: MIDNIGHT EXPRESS® Cercis

See all of the Proven Winners Plants of the Year at nationalplantoftheyear.com.