And The 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year Is ….

Schizachyrium grass

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) announced its 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year is Schizachyrium scoparium and cultivars.

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The Perennial Plant of the Year program began in 1990. Perennials chosen for this honor are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest and disease-free.

The PPA Board of Directors reviews the nominated perennials and selects three or four perennials to be placed on a voting ballot. PPA members vote for the Perennial Plant of the Year and nominate additional plants for the following year’s ballot. In addition, PPA members have access to a flyer, poster, and bench card to promote the Perennial Plant of the Year.

PPA Board members selected top performers in their regions and shared appealing details about each one.

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For the central region, Richard Hawke of the Chicago Botanic Garden selected Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Jazz’ for his region.

“The striking silvery-blue leaves of Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Jazz’ are most comparable to The Blues, but at 36 inches tall and 30 inches wide, Jazz is a foot shorter than The Blues and has sturdier stems,” Hawke says.

For the southern region, Shannon Currey of Hoffman Nursery selected Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ for her region.

“In the South, our humidity, high nighttime temps, and wet springs can slow down some Little Bluestem. The Blues is a strong, vigorous grower and has fantastic color: Blues, pinks, purples in the summer, followed by reds and oranges in the fall. In the right conditions, it stands out for us.”

Tony Post of Brookdale Treeland Nurseries of Valleybrook Farm chose Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ for the Canadian region.

“This selection adds excellent texture to the summer garden. Burgundy highlights add a late-season interest. Seed heads are attractive, particularly when backlit,” Post says.

Nanci Hollerith Allen of MarkWatch Plants notes that Schizachyrium scoparium can be a tricky plant for the Western region unless you have reasonably dry, well-drained soil. She recommended two cultivars for the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountain region: Schizachyrium scoparium ‘The Blues’ and Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation.’

For the Great Lakes region, Patty Steinhauser of Stonehouse Nursery chose Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Carousel.’

“This uniquely mounded selection forms a wide clump of blue-green foliage that emerges nearly horizontal and matures into strong, upright stems that remain standing through inclement weather and winter. It takes on pink, copper, and orange-red tones in fall topped with tiny seed tufts,” Steinhauser says.

And for the Mid-Atlantic region, Taylor Pilker of Cavano’s Perennials suggested The Blues, Standing Ovation, and Jazz.

“I like Blue Heaven because it is taller and has good autumn color with a wide range of shades of burgundy and pink,” Pilker says.

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