Perennial Of The Year

2026: Blackhawks Big Bluestem

Each year, the Perennial Plant Association — a body of hundreds of professional horticulturists, plant breeders, landscape designers, and garden centre owners across North America — votes to name a Perennial Plant of the Year. These aren’t chosen for novelty or trendiness. They’re chosen because they perform beautifully across a wide range of climates, require minimal fuss, and genuinely earn their place in the garden year after year.

For 2026, that honour goes to Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ — commonly known as Blackhawks Big Bluestem. If you haven’t grown ornamental grasses before, this might be the one that changes your mind.

What Is Big Bluestem?

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is a native North American prairie grass — one of the dominant species that once covered the vast tallgrass prairies of central Canada and the United States. It’s deeply rooted in our ecological history, and its deep, fibrous root system (which can extend several feet into the soil) is one of the reasons it’s so incredibly tough and long-lived once established.

‘Blackhawks’ is a refined cultivar selected for its dramatic colouring and more compact, upright form compared to wild big bluestem. It was bred by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens in Illinois, and it’s been turning heads in trial gardens — including the Chicago Botanic Garden — since its introduction.

Why It’s Special: A Season-Long Colour Show

What makes ‘Blackhawks’ stand out from most ornamental grasses is that it earns its place in the garden from spring right through to winter.

Spring: Dark green to deep purple blades emerge from the ground, already showing that distinctive near-black colouration that gives the plant its brooding character.

Summer: The upright clump grows steadily, developing two-toned foliage as the tips deepen to reddish-purple. It makes a striking vertical foil among summer-flowering perennials.

Late Summer / August: The signature moment — distinctive three-parted flower clusters appear at the tops of the stems, earning the plant its old common name: Turkeyfoot grass (the seed heads genuinely resemble a turkey’s foot).

Fall: By September the entire plant — leaves, stems, and blooms — transitions to a rich, deep burgundy-purple. The fall colour rivals that of many flowering shrubs.

Winter: The strong, upright stems hold their structure through frost and snow, providing architectural interest and shelter for birds well into the cold months.

Perfect for Central Ontario Gardens

Here’s the great news for our local gardeners: ‘Blackhawks’ is rated hardy to Canadian Hardiness Zone 3, which means it’s very well suited to Simcoe County, Muskoka, and the surrounding region.

It thrives in full sun and actually prefers lean, well-drained soil — meaning the sandy or rocky soils common on moraines and around cottage country are a genuine advantage, not a problem. Rich, overly fertile soil will cause the plant to flop, so resist the temptation to over fertilize.

Once established — which typically takes a season or two — it becomes extremely drought tolerant and essentially self-sufficient. The only maintenance required is cutting it back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.

Key specs at a glance:

Height: 4–5 feet | Width: 1–2 feet

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)

Soil: Average to dry, well-drained — tolerates poor soils

Water: Low once established; drought tolerant

Hardiness: Canadian Zone 3–9

Maintenance: Cut back once annually in late winter

Great for Wildlife and the Environment

‘Blackhawks’ checks all the boxes for ecologically minded gardeners, and it connects beautifully to the native plant movement that’s growing strongly right across central Ontario:

- Bird habitat: The upright stems provide nesting material and shelter through fall and winter. The seed heads are a food source for numerous bird species.

- Pollinator value: The late-summer flowers support several species of native skippers and other pollinators at a time of year when many garden plants have finished blooming.

- Erosion control: Its deep, fibrous root system is exceptional at stabilizing soil — ideal for slopes, shoreline buffers, or naturalized areas.

- Native North American heritage: This is a plant with ecological roots in our region, not an introduced species. Growing it supports local biodiversity.

How to Use It in Your Garden

‘Blackhawks’ is a versatile plant that works in a surprising range of settings:

In a perennial border: Use it as a tall vertical accent near the back of a sunny border. Its dark colouration makes surrounding plants pop by contrast.

In a naturalistic or meadow planting: This is where it really shines. Mass plantings create a dramatic prairie-style effect, with movement and texture in every breeze.

As a screen or divider: Its upright, clumping habit makes it effective as a seasonal privacy screen — dense enough to be useful, beautiful enough to be intentional.

At the cottage: Perfectly suited to naturalistic lakeside plantings, shoreline buffers, and low-maintenance landscapes where it can look after itself between visits.

Companion Plants

‘Blackhawks’ plays beautifully with other sun-loving natives and late-season perennials. Some of our favourite combinations:

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) — golden yellow against near-black foliage is a showstopper

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) — magenta blooms complement the burgundy tones perfectly

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) — vertical purple spikes echo the grass’s upright form

Tall Stonecrop (Hylotelephium)— blooms just as ‘Blackhawks’ is hitting its fall peak

Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) — late-season colour that carries the garden into October alongside the grass

A Word on Patience

Like most warm-season grasses, ‘Blackhawks’ is slow to wake up in spring — don’t panic if it seems to be lagging behind your other perennials. It’s gathering its energy. Once it gets moving, it catches up quickly, and by late summer you’ll have forgotten you ever doubted it.

It’s also worth knowing that it may take a couple of seasons to reach its full potential. Think of it as a long-term investment — one that will reward you with increasing beauty and minimal effort for many years to come.

Sep 11, 2026
Shanna Dennis

2025: Pycnanthemum muticum (Blunt Mountainmint)

The Perennial Plant Association has honoured Pycnanthemum muticum, commonly known as Blunt Mountainmint, as the 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year. This native North American plant is celebrated for its adaptability, ecological benefits, and ornamental appeal, making it an excellent choice for Ontario gardeners.

Plant Characteristics

Blunt Mountainmint is a clump-forming perennial that typically reaches 2 to 3 feet in height. It thrives in Zones 4-8, which encompasses most regions of Ontario. The plant features aromatic, dark green foliage that emits a minty fragrance when crushed. From July to September, it produces clusters of tiny white to light pink flowers, subtended by showy, silvery bracts that give the plant a frosted appearance.

Ecological Benefits

One of the standout qualities of Blunt Mountainmint is its attractiveness to pollinators. The dense flower heads are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and wasps, making it a must-have for pollinator gardens. Additionally, its aromatic foliage renders it unpalatable to deer and rabbits, providing a natural deterrent against these common garden pests.

Growing Conditions

This versatile plant is known for its toughness and adaptability. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can thrive in a variety of soil types, including moist and well-drained soils. While it can spread through underground rhizomes, forming dense clumps that suppress weeds, it is not considered invasive. However, in moist conditions, it can be somewhat aggressive, so gardeners may want to monitor its spread.

Design Suggestions

Blunt Mountainmint's subtle beauty and ecological benefits make it a valuable addition to various garden settings. It pairs well with showier native perennials like Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) and Echinacea (Coneflower), providing a harmonious blend of textures and colours. Its ability to attract pollinators also enhances the overall health and productivity of the garden ecosystem.

Maintenance Tips

This low-maintenance perennial requires minimal care once established. Regular watering during the initial planting phase will help it establish a strong root system. Afterward, it is relatively drought-tolerant. To prevent unwanted spreading, gardeners can install root barriers or regularly divide the clumps. Deadheading spent flowers can promote a tidier appearance, although leaving some seed heads can provide food for birds in the fall and winter months.

Incorporating Pycnanthemum muticum into your garden not only adds aesthetic value but also supports local biodiversity. Its selection as the 2025 Perennial Plant of the Year® underscores its versatility and ecological importance, making it a worthy consideration for gardeners aiming to create sustainable and vibrant outdoor spaces.

Sep 10, 2026
Shanna Dennis

2024: Phlox paniculata 'Jeana'

Garden Phlox

‘Jeana’ is an exceptional garden phlox renowned for its impressive flower show, tall sturdy habit, and pollinator-friendliness. Dense, domed trusses crown stiff stems from midsummer to early fall. Individually, the fragrant lavender-pink flowers are significantly smaller than typical garden phlox — only about half an inch wide — but the show at peak is eye-popping, nonetheless. This is a case where bigger is not better, from a pollinator’s perspective anyhow. In trials at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, the nectar-rich flowers of ‘Jeana’ attracted more butterflies — Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were especially plentiful — than any other garden phlox in their study. Hummingbirds and other pollinators are fans too.

Topped with flowers, ‘Jeana’ can reach five feet tall and four feet wide, although size will vary geographically. Its bright green leaves are highly resistant to powdery mildew, so ‘Jeana’ has a striking summer look with or without flowers.

Tall garden phlox provide structure and color in summer gardens and are good bridging plants between early and later flowering perennials. ‘Jeana’ is at home in traditional borders and meadows and is a natural in pollinator gardens. Mix ‘Jeana’ with other tall perennials such as bluestars (Amsonia), Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum ×superbum), and switch grasses (Panicum virgatum). Or let its handsome foliage be the backdrop for shorter companions such as coneflowers (Echinacea), alliums (Allium), and woodland sages (Salvia nemorosa).

Photography Credit: Chanticleer Garden, Chris Fehlhaber

PLANT DATA

Hardiness
USDA Zones 3 to 8
Canadian Hardiness Zones 3 to 8
AHS Heat Zones 4 to 9

Light
Full sun; afternoon shade in hot climates

Size
36-60 inches tall

36-48 inches wide

Origin
‘Jeana’ was discovered growing along the Harpeth River near Nashville, Tennessee and was named for its discoverer, Jeana Prewitt.

Soil
Moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Avoid dry conditions.

Maintenance
Divide clumps every 3-5 years in spring. Deadheading promotes continued bloom and prevents self-seeding, which can produce inferior seedlings. Powdery mildew and spider mites may be foliar problems in hot or dry conditions. Thinning out stems to improve air circulation may guard against mildew. Deer and rabbits can be pests.

Sep 08, 2026
Shanna Dennis

2023: Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) announced Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ as Perennial Plant of the Year for 2023. The black-eyed Susan originated from open-pollinated seed sown from the seed parent Rudbeckia fulgida var. Deamii, and was introduced by Brent Horvath from Intrinsic Perennial Gardens.

Horvath said, “I’ve always liked my plant introductions to speak for themselves and this one speaks volumes. From start to finish this plant is generally trouble free and easy to propagate, grow and finish in a container and a breeze to garden with. It started as an open-pollinated seedling among several other related seedlings, but quickly distinguished itself with clean disease-free foliage, a naturally compact and rounded habit and beautiful presentation in a container over an extended bloom period.”

In a media release, PPA said, “At the height of summer, ‘American Gold Rush’ black-eyed Susan turns up the volume for a long season of dazzling colour right up to autumnal frosts. The bright golden-yellow flowers feature arching rays and a reddish halo surrounding dark chocolate cones. Three-inch flowers blanket the compact plant, only 22-27 inches tall with a broader width to 40 inches if given room to grow.

“The green leaves and stems are covered in hairs, which gives them a silvery cast — on sunny days, peeking through the blooms to the leaves is a luminous silver-and-gold treat. More than just boosting the ornamental show, the hairy foliage is resistant to Septoria leaf spot — a debilitating fungal disease that causes unsightly black spotting and premature seasonal decline on some black-eyed Susans. ‘American Gold Rush’ is a reliable hardy perennial and a great substitute for popular, brassier ‘Goldsturm,’ which is highly susceptible to leaf spotting. ‘American Gold Rush’ is a stunning focal point in perennial borders and meadows and is brilliant when massed in public or corporate landscapes. Butterflies caper over the blooms and songbirds feast on the plentiful seed long after the flowers have passed — the seedheads provide winter interest too.”

-Article Courtesy of Landscape Ontario, Photo Credit Walters Gardens