{"id":3897,"date":"2017-05-25T12:33:09","date_gmt":"2017-05-25T12:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/?p=3897"},"modified":"2018-03-05T14:08:20","modified_gmt":"2018-03-05T14:08:20","slug":"top-10-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/top-10-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 for 2017 By John Schroeder"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"827219ce0a87fa193c09e84c4c9a0f12\" data-index=\"1\" style=\"float: none; margin:20px 0 20px 0; text-align:center;\">\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- MOINSBD Link Top -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-4387862990858706\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"6762903103\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"link\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s that time again where I get to make my choices for the current year\u2019s Top 10 perennial list. While the occasion lacks the glitz and hoopla of the Oscars or Grammy Award Ceremony, (or the audience for that matter), it\u2019s a good opportunity to recognize the horticultural equivalents of talent or popularity.<\/p>\n<p>My selections are made using various criteria, such as the wisdom of industry leaders (Hosta of the Year, Perennial of the Year), my personal favourites (Itoh Peonies) and industry or gardening trends (surging popularity of succulents). Plant breeding success in improving classic perennial consistency and performance is a good source of candidates for recognition as well.<\/p>\n<p>So, without further ado, the envelope please\u2026.<\/p>\n<p>1. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3912\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Asclepia-tuberosa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Asclepia-tuberosa.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Asclepia-tuberosa-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/asclepias-tuberosa.html\">Asclepias tuberosa<\/a> (Butterfly Weed) Chosen as the 2017 Perennial of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association, this one checks off a lot of boxes. It is on-trend as a North American native plant, especially because of its wonderful ability to support birds and insects, including its role as the primary food of the Monarch butterfly. It\u2019s also on-trend for being drought tolerant. It even has the benefit of being unpopular with marauding deer and is not subject to any serious pest or disease problems. Orange is the typical flower colour but a yellow variety named \u2018Hello Yellow\u2019 is sometimes available as well. Late to emerge in spring. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>2. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Clematis-Charmaine-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Clematis-Charmaine-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Clematis-Charmaine-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Clematis-Charmaine.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/clematis-charmaine.html\">Clematis \u2018Charmaine\u2019<\/a> \u201cOk\u201d, I hear some of you say \u201cthat\u2019s a clematis, not a perennial\u201d. Well, by botanical criteria, it most certainly is a perennial. It\u2019s also true that this is sold as part of the Raymond Evison Clematis\u00ae product line, not as a Heritage Perennial\u00ae. Now that\u2019s out of the way, let\u2019s focus on the incredible performance of this compact, vigorous grower with lovely dark red flowers. Flowers bloom profusely and then bloom again, providing colour through the summer. The compact growth habit of this selection means it fits in smaller gardens or patio containers. A winner. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>3. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3901\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/coreopsis-uptick-gold-and-b-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/coreopsis-uptick-gold-and-b-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/coreopsis-uptick-gold-and-b-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/coreopsis-uptick-gold-and-b.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/coreopsis-hybrida-uptick-gold-bronze.html\">Coreopsis Uptick\u00ae \u2018Gold &amp; Bronze\u2019<\/a> (Tickseed) This variety is one of the selections in the new Uptick\u00ae series. The series is a significant improvement on the category. With impressively large flowers blooming from May through September, the plant itself also impresses with a tidy, mounded growth habit. Mildew resistant as well, this plant has won numerous awards in the UK and in the USA. Zone 5.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>4. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3904\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/hosta-brother-stefan-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/hosta-brother-stefan-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/hosta-brother-stefan-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/hosta-brother-stefan.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/hosta-brother-stefan.html\">Hosta \u2018Brother Stefan\u2019<\/a> The American Hosta Growers Association certainly hit their 2017 selection out of the park. A truly spectacular specimen, the heavily corrugated golden-yellow leaves have contrasting edges of dark green. The overall effect is very impressive, and \u2018Brother Stefan\u2019 only grows more impressive each year as it slowly reaches its maximum size. White flowers appear just above the slug resistant foliage in early summer. A real stunner. Zone 3.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>5. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3907\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Phlox-Violet-Pinwheels-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Phlox-Violet-Pinwheels-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Phlox-Violet-Pinwheels-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Phlox-Violet-Pinwheels.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/phlox-violet-pinwheels.html\">Phlox \u2018Violet Pinwheels\u2019<\/a> (Hybrid Groundcover Phlox) The great folks at Chicagoland Grows\u00ae Plant Introduction Program continue to deliver outstanding new plants to the gardening world. We\u2019ve been particularly smitten by this wonderful hybrid of P. bifida and P. kelseyii. A well behaved spreader, this produces masses of fragrant, rich violet-purple upturned flower petals over dark foliage. An outstanding, robust plant which introduces a new colour to the creeping phlox line. We predict it will become exceptionally popular. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>6. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3908\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/sedum-sunsparkler-lime-twis.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/sedum-sunsparkler-lime-twis.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/sedum-sunsparkler-lime-twis-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/sedum-sunsparkler-lime-twister.html\">Sedum Sunsparkler\u00ae \u2018Lime Twister\u2019<\/a> (Stonecrop) We have seen some outstanding new varieties of groundcover stonecrop introduced by Chris Hansen in the last few years. The entire range of Sunsparkler\u00ae varieties is fabulous, and this one is no exception. Leaves are strongly variegated with cream-coloured edges. Very drought tolerant, this easy-care plant is great in containers, rock gardens, troughs, or the front of the perennial border. Zone 4.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3905\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/paeonia-duchesse-de-lorrain-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/paeonia-duchesse-de-lorrain-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/paeonia-duchesse-de-lorrain-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/paeonia-duchesse-de-lorrain.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>7. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/paeonia-duchesse-de-lorraine.html\">Paeonia \u2018Duchesse de Lorraine\u2019<\/a> The Itoh (or Intersectional hybrid) peonies are so spectacular, one of them is bound to hit the Top 10 list each and every year. This year\u2019s winner is walking down the red carpet dressed in shimmering, silky, gorgeous yellow petals, with the highest petal count yet. An enticing fragrance is an added bonus. As peonies are very long lived, this winner should only get better with age. Worth every penny. Zone 3.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3906\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3906\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3906\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/pennys-pink-post.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/pennys-pink-post.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/pennys-pink-post-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3906\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8216;Penny&#8217;s Pink&#8217;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_3903\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3903\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3903\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/annas-red-post.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/annas-red-post.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/annas-red-post-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3903\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8216;Anna&#8217;s Red&#8217;<\/p><\/div>\n<p>8. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/helleborus-hybridus-annas-red.html\">Helleborus Frostkiss\u2122 Anna\u2019s Red<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/helleborus-hybridus-pennys-pink.html\">Penny\u2019s Pink<\/a> (Lenten rose hybrids) The last decade or so has seen a lot of hellebore breeding and new introductions. Seed strains have introduced a range of colours, but often with a high degree of variability in vigour, number of flowers or flower colour. The Frostkiss\u2122 series however is filled with robust, reliable and predictable growers with outstanding flower power. We love both Penny\u2019s Pink and Anna\u2019s Red, so we decided to feature them both. Anna showcases a red-toned flower, while Penny is a deep pink. Both are spectacular, and will brighten up an early spring garden or container for years to come. Zone 5.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>9. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/echibeckia-summerina-yellow.html\">Echibeckia\u00ae Summerina\u00ae Butterscotch Biscuit<\/a> This is one of the newest introductions to the Echibeckia\u00ae lineup of hybrids. This crossing of Rudbeckia and Echinacea results in progeny with the appearance of Rudbeckia and the strength of Echinacea. Although winter hardiness is limited, the flowering show is so long and full that it\u2019s worth growing as an annual in colder climates. Not only does the bloom season last from late summer through fall, the individual flowers last for many weeks as well. While there are a number of varieties in this series, we love the bold and bright tones of Butterscotch Biscuit and its robust growth and size, and predict it will be the best seller of the bunch. Excellent in large containers. Zone 7.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3911\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3911\" class=\"wp-image-3911\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Yellow-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Yellow-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Yellow-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Yellow.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3911\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Summerina Yellow<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_3910\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3910\" class=\"wp-image-3910\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Orange-post-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Orange-post-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Orange-post-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Orange-post.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3910\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Summerina Orange<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_3909\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3909\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3909\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Brown-post.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Brown-post.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Summerina-Brown-post-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3909\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Summerina Brown<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>10. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3902\" src=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Dianthus-SF-Passion-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Dianthus-SF-Passion-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Dianthus-SF-Passion-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Dianthus-SF-Passion.jpg 502w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.perennials.com\/plants\/dianthus-scent-first-passion.html\">Dianthus Scent First\u00ae Passion<\/a> As growers of perennials, we are sometimes so tuned into focusing on the latest new variety, that we start thinking a plant that\u2019s been around for 3 or 4 years is old news. However, it\u2019s only after 3 or 4 years of experience that we begin to recognize which plants truly are winners. The Scent First\u2122 series in general, and Passion in particular, combine outstanding garden performance with profuse blooming and fragrance. In many cases, that classic, clove-like dianthus scent has been lost as breeders have sacrificed scent for unique flowers. We should all be grateful that the breeders at Whetman Pinks Ltd. in the UK brought back that classic scent. Better late than never, it is time this great plant gets recognized. Zone 5.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0px; margin: 0; padding: 0; clear: both;\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s that time again where I get to make my choices for the current year\u2019s Top 10 perennial list. While the occasion lacks the glitz and hoopla of the Oscars or Grammy Award Ceremony, (or the audience for that matter), it\u2019s a good opportunity to recognize the horticultural equivalents of talent or popularity. My selections [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3907,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-10-lists"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3897"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3921,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897\/revisions\/3921"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.perennials.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}