Readers' Choice Perennials

medal of excellence

Vote for your favorite among this year's new perennial introductions.

Voting is now open for Greenhouse Grower’s 2026 Readers' Choice Award!
It's time for you, our readers, to decide which variety is chosen as the best new introduction in 2026. Breeders have entered their best new varieties for you to decide which one is worthy of the Readers’ Choice award. The Readers' Choice winner will be announced July 13 at Greenhouse Grower's prestigious Evening of Excellence reception during Cultivate'26 in Columbus, OH. The voting schedule is as follows: May 19 to May 25: Annuals May 26 to June 1: Perennials June 2 to June 8: Best of the Rest June 10 to June 16: Finalist Voting Voting Rules and Conditions Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to view photos and descriptions of all the contenders in the Perennials category. There are four entries this year. One vote per person, please.

Please note: You will find the voting form at the end of the entries, near the bottom of the page.

Agastache hybrid Honeysticks Gold (Dümmen Orange)

Agastache hybrid Honeysticks Gold
Agastache hybrid Honeysticks Gold
Agastache hybrid Honeysticks Gold
Agastache hybrid Honeysticks Gold

Colors: Gold Uses: Landscape plantings or container plantings in summer Plant Habit: Upright Type: Perennials Description: The Agastache Honeysticks series has a new addition of Gold for 2028. Gold features bright yellow tubular flowers with hints of orange on upright flower spikes that stand above the body of foliage.

The series was selected to be compact growing but offering a wide range of colors that are well matched in habit. What makes Honeysticks a standout series is the cold hardiness with a USDA Zone 4 rating.

The new addition of Gold brings the series up to 4 colors that can be used in combination with each other or planted in a full sun landscape beds. Agastache prefer well drained soils, long days and hot weather for the best blooms in the summer.

Spanish Lavender Butterfly Garden™ Poppin’ Pink (Darwin Perennials®)

Spanish Lavender Butterfly Garden™ Poppin’ Pink

Colors: Poppin’ Pink Uses: Patio Pots and Spring Garden Landscapes Plant Habit: Upright Type: Perennials USDA Zones: 6b to 9b. Crop Time: Quarts: 1 ppp, 7-10 weeks | Gallons: 1-3 ppp, 9-11 weeks | 2- to 3-Gallon: 3-5 ppp, 10-12 weeks Description: An exciting new color is now available for Spanish lavender fans! Darwin Perennials extends its lavender program with a new collection of L. stoechas called Butterfly Garden™. The plants are easier to produce, requiring less chill and offering better rooting. The Poppin’ Pink variety is topped with unique and intense pink florets that attract pollinators and shoppers! It has an excellent habit for manageable shipping and a high flower count. Scented lavender is an important class for seasonal sales and growers can schedule Butterfly Garden™ in their fall production to meet their needs for early-spring color.

 

Sedum Spectacular (Pan American Seed)

Sedum Spectacular
Sedum Spectacular
Sedum Spectacular

Colors: Pink florets on Chartreuse foliage Uses: Garden Landscapes and Patio Mixes Plant Habit: Mounded Type: Perennials Crop Time: Plug Crop Time: 128 plug: 7 to 8 weeks ; 72 plug: 8 to 9 weeks | Transplant to finish: 10-21 weeks subject to season and forcing Description: A seed sedum breakthrough! Compared to the leading vegetative varieties, this seed alternative to S. spectabile has a compact habit and sturdier flower clusters. The tight habit creates more color impact in the landscape, in smaller pots, and mixed patio containers. Spectacular offers good plug quality, seeding uniformity, and a convenient, multi-pellet seed form. Plants are durable and hardy in USDA zones 3b – 9a. Flushing first in chartreuse and maturing in August to soft pink, Sedum Spectacular attracts pollinators for even more whimsy in outdoor spaces. It is noted by trial judges for its attractive color, plant uniformity, and flower coverage.

Agapanthus Poppin’ Pink (Plant Development Services, Inc.)

Agapanthus Poppin’® Pink
Agapanthus Poppin’® Pink

Colors: Pink Uses: Accent, Border, Container, Edging, Mass Planting Type: Perennials Description: Agapanthus Poppin’® Pink represents a major breakthrough as the first true pink agapanthus, introducing a new dimension of softness and warmth to landscapes. This semi-dwarf cultivar develops a well-branched form and produces an early flush of blooms, followed by successive reblooming periods that extend into late summer or fall. Once established, Poppin’® Pink demonstrates strong drought and heat tolerance. Matures to 28” tall and 24” wide, it performs optimally in full sun and is perennial in USDA Zone 9a. Available to trade through Southern Living® and Sunset® Plant Collections in 2026.

Voting is now closed

More About the Medal of Excellence Awards

In Greenhouse Grower’s Medal of Excellence Awards tradition, three awards are presented for breeding:

The Readers’ Choice Award is voted on online by our readers. Breeders submit their top plants for consideration for this award.

The Industry’s Choice Award is selected by a panel of industry members who attend Spring Trials and see introductions in person.

The Editor’s Choice Award is chosen by Greenhouse Grower Content Specialist, Marisa Reyes. See Greenhouse Grower's 2025 Medal of Excellence Winners

Winners of all of these awards, along with awards for Medal of Excellence in Industry Achievement, Technology of the Year, Head Grower of the Year, and Operation of the Year, will be announced July 13 at the Evening of Excellence reception at Cultivate’26 in Columbus, OH. Please plan to join us!