2023 National Plants of the Year
Discover exceptional plants to grow in your garden this yearLooking for a sure thing? These outstanding plants are a great place to start! Proven Winners has selected their very best annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs and more for their National Plant of the Year award program.
Annual of the Year
TRUFFULA™ PINK GLOBE AMARANTHGomphrena pulchella
USDA ZONES 9A-11B
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Truffula Pink's perfectly balanced habit shows off a plethora of hot-pink flowers. It performs extremely well in hot, humid climates where it blooms all season long. It's also great for cutting, with a long vase life. Zones 9a-11b, full sun. Grows 22 to 28 inches tall and wide.
Perennial of the Year
DOLCE® 'WILDBERRY' CORAL BELLSHeuchera hybrid
USDA ZONES 4A-9B
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Liven up your garden with a splash of purple! The large, scalloped, glossy leaves are deep purple with charcoal veining. When blooming, dark stems hold rosy pink calyxes and white flowers above the bold purple foliage. Zones 4a-9b, sun or shade. Grows 10 to 14 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide, with flower scapes to 28 inches.
Landscape Shrub of the Year
PURPLE PILLAR® ROSE OF SHARONHIBISCUS SYRIACUS
USDA ZONES 5A-9B
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A totally unique rose of Sharon that grows in a narrow, upright column. Stems are packed with purple blooms in summer. Perfect for creating privacy in a narrow space; also works in containers. Zones 5a-9b, full sun. Grows up to 16 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide.
Hosta of the Year
SHADOWLAND® ‘EMPRESS WU’ HOSTAHOSTA hybrid
USDA ZONES 3A-9B
![Empress Wu Hosta, Shade Plant, Larg Foliage
Proven Winners
Sycamore, IL]()
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The largest known hosta available. 'Empress Wu' makes a statement with its massive mound of large, thick, dark green leaves. In early to mid-summer, pale reddish-violet flowers are held on scapes up to 48 inches. Zones 3a-9b, partial to full shade. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall, 5 to 6 feet wide.
Rose of the Year
RINGO ALL-STAR™ ROSERosa ×
USDA ZONES 4A-8B
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So much interest and color in one plant! Flowers start out a rich melon-orange with a cherry-red center, and age to lavender and pink, with all colors on the plant at the same time. Fluffy yellow anthers attract pollinators. Disease resistant and low-maintenance. Zones 4a-8b, full sun. Grows to 3 feet tall and wide.
Hydrangea of the Year
LIMELIGHT PRIME® HYDRANGEAHYDRANGEA PANICULATA
USDA ZONES 3A-8B
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Introducing the next generation of 'Limelight' hydrangeas! This improved version blooms earlier with bolder, brighter colors&emdash;with the green blooms aging to vivid shades of pink and red. The stronger stems hold dozens of blooms, even in cold climates, all in a more compact size.
Flowering Shrub of the Year
LET'S DANCE CAN DO!® HYDRANGEAHYDRANGEA MACROPHYLLA x SERRATA
USDA ZONES 4A-9B
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An innovative new hydrangea that has the unique ability to flower along the entire length of the stem, not just at the top. Lacecap flowers bloom with outstanding color in early summer, and again in late summer. Zones 4a-9b, partial to full sun. Grows to 4 feet tall, 3 feet wide.
Caladium of the Year
HEART TO HEART® 'SCARLET FLAME'CALADIUM HORTULANUM
USDA ZONES 10A-11B
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The vivid strap-shaped leaves are bright red with pink and white speckles, and outlined in bright green. Caladiums can be grown indoors near bright windows or outside in sunny or shady borders. Zones 10a-11b, sun or shade. Grows to 20 inches tall, 10 inches wide.
Houseplant of the Year
FEELING FLIRTY™ SPIDERWORTTradescantia hybrid
USDA ZONES 9A-12
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This easy-to-grow houseplant can also be grown outdoors in warmer zones. This unique version has pink and green-striped foliage that looks painted on. Grows 2 to 4 inches tall and trails up to 36 inches. Perfect for hanging baskets or as a spiller in mixed containers.
Learn more about these award-winning plants at nationalplantoftheyear.com.
What makes it a plant of the year?
Candidates for Proven Winners’ National Plants of the Year are judged stringently by growers, retailers, and home gardeners against the following criteria:
- Easy to grow
- Iconic
- Readily available
- Outstanding landscape performance
Last year's winning plants:
Annual: Graceful Grasses® Prince Tut™ Dwarf Egyptian Papyrus Grass
Perennial: 'Paint the Town Magenta' Pinks
Landscape Shrub: Incrediball® Smooth Hydrangea
Hosta: Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta
Rose: Suñorita® Rose
Flowering Shrub: Double Play Doozie® Spirea
Caladium: Heart to Heart® 'Raspberry Moon' Caladium
Hydrangea: Little Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea
