Perennial Plant of the Year

Meet the 2027 selection, Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’, and explore the history of the Perennial Plant of the Year.

PERENNIAL PLANT OF THE YEAR 2026

‘Blackhawks’ Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’

‘Blackhawks’ Big Bluestem

A striking prairie grass for a sunny garden

For the 2026 gardening season, the Perennial Plant Association selected Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’, also known as ‘Blackhawks’ Big Bluestem.

This hardy ornamental grass is native across the eastern two-thirds of North America and occurs naturally in meadows, prairies and grasslands. The cultivar ‘Blackhawks’ was selected by plant breeder Brent Horvath and is well suited to a hot, sunny perennial border.

Height

About 5 ft (152 cm)

Spread

About 24 in (60 cm)

Location

Hot, sunny garden

Care

Low maintenance

THROUGH THE SEASONS

A Plant That Changes Colour

One of the highlights of ‘Blackhawks’ is the progression of its foliage colour throughout the growing season.

Early Spring

Dark green leaves begin appearing in early May.

Mid-Summer

Purple colour starts at the tips and moves downward through the foliage.

Late Summer

By August, distinctive three-parted “turkeyfoot” seedheads appear.

Fall

The plant develops a deep purple colour, turning from dark purple to nearly black.

ABOUT THE AWARD

How Is the Perennial Plant of the Year Chosen?

Every year, the Perennial Plant Association sends each member a ballot to select a Perennial Plant of the Year. These plants tend not to be new introductions to the gardening world, but plants that have been tested and have proven worthy of nomination.

The selected plant needs to suit a wide range of climatic zones. It must be low maintenance, relatively pest-free and disease-resistant, offer multiple seasons of ornamental interest, and be readily available during the year it is promoted. After the selection, the plant is promoted across Canada and the continental United States.

Who Is the Perennial Plant Association?

Mostly, it is a large group of greenhouse growers, retailers, landscapers, horticultural teachers and “plant geeks” working across the horticultural industry. Members come from around the world and meet once a year at an annual convention.

At the convention, members listen to speakers, tour greenhouses and nurseries, attend a trade show and learn what others in the industry are doing.

A Tradition Since 1990

The program began in 1990, when the first Plant of the Year was Phlox stolonifera. The following year, Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’ was selected. Since then, another perennial has been chosen and promoted each year.

Most of the plants selected by the Perennial Plant Association are very hardy. Apart from a small number that are not hardy in this region, Vale’s Greenhouse has always been pleased with the selections.

GROWING ‘BLACKHAWKS’

Simple Care Once Established

‘Blackhawks’ is described by Vale’s as low maintenance, with no major pest or disease concerns. Cut it back to the ground in fall, as with other ornamental grasses. Once established — a process that may take a few years — it becomes very drought tolerant.

At a glance

Hot, sunny location

Low maintenance

Cut back in fall

Drought tolerant once established

FROM 1990 TO TODAY

Perennial Plant of the Year History

The 2027 selection is Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’.

Vale’s Greenhouse has kept a record of annual selections, including notes about suitability for Southern Alberta.

YearPlantVale’s Note
2027Vernonia ‘Summer’s Swan Song’Upcoming selection
2026Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ — Blackhawks Big Bluestem2026 selection
2025Pycnanthemum muticum — Mountain MintNot hardy for Southern Alberta
2024Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’
2023Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ PP28498
2022Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Twilight Zone’ — Little Bluestem Grass
2021Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta — Lesser CalamintNot hardy in Zone 2 Southern Alberta
2020Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’Not hardy in Chinook Zone 2/3
2019Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ — Wood Betony
2018Allium ‘Millenium’ — Ornamental Onion
2017Asclepias tuberosa — Butterfly Weed / Milkweed
2016Anemone hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’
2015Geranium × cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’ — Biokovo Cranesbill Geranium
2014Panicum virgatum ‘Northwind’ — Northwind Switch Grass
2013Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ — Variegated Solomon’s Seal
2012Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
2011Amsonia hubrichtiiNot hardy in Zone 2 Southern Alberta
2010Baptisia australis — Purple Smoke
2009Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’Not hardy in Zone 2 Southern Alberta
2008Geranium ‘Rozanne’
2007Nepeta × faassenii — Walker’s Low
2006Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Feuerhexe’ (Firewitch)
2005Helleborus × hybridus — Lenten RoseNot hardy in Zone 2 Southern Alberta
2004Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ — Japanese Painted Fern
2003Leucanthemum ‘Becky’
2002Phlox paniculata ‘David’
2001Calamagrostis × acutiflora — ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass
2000Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’ — Pincushion Flower
1999Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’
1998Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’
1997Salvia ‘Mainacht’ (May Night)
1996Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’
1995Perovskia atriplicifolia — Russian Sage
1994Astilbe ‘Sprite’
1993Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’
1992Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’Not hardy in Zone 2 Southern Alberta
1991Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’
1990Phlox stolonifera

Looking for hardy perennials for Southern Alberta?

Visit Vale’s Greenhouse in Black Diamond and talk with our team about plants suited to your garden.

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