The Perennial Plant of the Year Program promotes the use of perennials. Four perennials are selected by the Perennial Plant of the Year Committee from an extensive list of nominations made earlier by Perennial Plant Association members. Each year members cast their vote for one of the four selected plants with the following attributes:

• suitable for a wide range of climate types
• low maintenance
• easily propagated - easily comes true from seed or vegetative propagation
• exhibits multiple seasonal interest

2012 Plant Perennial of the Year ™

Brunnera m. 'Jack Frost' PP13859

The leaves are dark green; with a heavily frosted metallic silver overlay, which allows the green veining to stand out in a crackled appearance. Beginning in mid to late spring, baby blue, forget-me-not type blossoms form clusters several inches above the foliage for an additional splash of color.

Jack Frost is a great shade perennial and used in containers as a accent plant. This plant grows best in rich, moist and well-drained soil.  In the north, morning sun is acceptable as long as the soil remains moist. Many recommend that you cut back the old foliage in the spring rather than in the fall because it will help to protect the crown during the winter in northern climates.

Previous Winners:

2011 Amsonia hubrichtii
2010 Baptisia australis 'Blue False Indigo'
2009 Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
2008 Geranium ‘Rozanne’
2007 Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’
2006 Dianthus gratianopolitanus
2005 Helleborus xhybridus
2004 Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
2003 Leucanthemum 'Becky'
2002 Phlox 'David'
2001 Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
2000 Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'
1999 Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
1998 Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'
1997 Salvia 'Mainacht' (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'

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