Which Plant Is the Current Triple Crown of Horticulture
For the first time ever, three major industry non-profits have joined forces to promote a plant class and specific variety, all in unison.
Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ was one of the first perennial winners from All-America Selections’ three-winter trial. It was also National Garden Bureau’s 2023 perennial of the year as the Year of the Rudbeckia, as well as the Perennial Plant Association’s Perennial Plant of the Year.
Brokers, growers, and retailers can all take advantage of this “Triple Crown of Horticulture” and use a series of free promotional programs to promote an iconic American garden plant, the rudbeckia. The interest in rudbeckias is booming, the products are available, and the chatter is at an all-time high for this plant.
All-America Selections judges grew and evaluated ‘American Gold Rush’ for three years with resulting comments such as:
- ‘I believe this is one of the very best rudbeckias I’ve ever trialed and one of the very best perennials as well.”
- “Was very attractive in the perennial garden with nice full bloom coverage late in the season.”
- “Great habit and longevity.”
- “Would make an excellent addition to a yard, especially in any sort of mass planting.”
- “The foliage texture, plant habit, and flower show are refined in appearance.”
Perennial Plant Association members chose ‘American Gold Rush’ because at the height of summer it turns up the volume for a long season of dazzling color right up to autumnal frosts. More than just boosting the ornamental show, however, the hairy foliage is resistant to Septoria leaf spot – a debilitating fungal disease that causes unsightly black spotting and premature seasonal decline on some rudbeckia. ‘American Gold Rush’ is a reliable hardy perennial and a stunning focal point in perennial borders and meadows as well as being brilliant when massed in public or corporate landscapes.
The National Garden Bureau chose rudbeckia as the perennial for its 2023 “Year of the” popular consumer program for many reasons. Rudbeckias are native to much of North America, are pollinator friendly, very easy for home gardeners to grow, and there are many new varieties to showcase.
Breeders, brokers, seed companies, growers and garden centers throughout the U.S. and Canada can highlight these flowers and plants when planning their marketing for the 2023 season as the publicity generated from these programs is substantial.
All-America Selections highlights this plant on its own web page. National Garden Bureau has photos of this and other rudbeckia under the “Year of” tab on the NGB website. Perennial Plant Association has photos, descriptions and more on the PPOY web page.
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