February 04, 2022
Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’, commonly known as woodland phlox has been named the 2022 Plant of the Year by The Garden Club of America. Annually, the GCA identifies a stellar North American native plant to receive the Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal: GCA Plant of the Year.
Native plants are important because they adapt to local environmental conditions. They require far less water, saving time, and money. Plus, native plants provide vital food sources and habitat for many pollinator insects, birds, and other species of wildlife.
Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon’ was discovered by William Cullina, Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, while he was working at the New England Wildflower Society.
“It’s a champ” was the sentiment from this year’s Freeman Medal selection committee of distinguished horticulturists. Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’ is mildew resistant with vibrant blue long lasting blooms along with winter interest.
The cultivar 'Blue Moon' has the largest petals of any of the Phlox divaricata cultivars with fragrant, billowy tufts of lilac-blue flowers throughout April and May creating a spectacular and long-lasting show in early spring.
The 2022 Freeman medal winner is a valuable early-season pollen source for bees and swallowtail butterflies as well as a nectar source for hummingbirds.
This phlox is suitable for shade gardens, woodland gardens, cottage gardens, rain gardens, low-maintenance gardens, and perennial borders and is also an excellent groundcover. Garden writer Ketzel Levine aptly notes that “the species Phlox divaricata's strength is not as a specimen but as a mingler, chatting its way across the woodland floor."
Phlox divaricata “Blue Moon’ Photo Credit: William Cullina
Honorable mention was awarded to Schizachyrium scoparium, little bluestem. Little bluestem is a tough ornamental grass almost “ bomb proof in drought conditions.” Birds love the seeds and this plant is a host plant for caterpillars with multi-season interest.
This ornamental grass has a strong vertical form complimenting other plants in the garden as a “great partner” in the landscape. The North American grass is native to most of the United States. The US Forest Service has documented that little bluestem is now found in every one of the lower forty-eight states except Nevada.
A second Honorable Mention was awarded to Tiarella cordifolia, Foamflower. This romantic plant with its dainty flowers can light up any shady bed. Commonly called foamflower, this clump-forming perennial spreads rapidly from runners and its slender stamens give the white flowers a frothy appearance. Tiarella cordifolia blooms in early May and is an impressive plant in a woodland garden where the perennial is an excellent ground cover.
Special Recognition was awarded to Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, Virginia salt marsh mallow or seashore mallow. Kosteletzkya pentacarpos is outstanding as a native pollinator plant well known for its conservation uses in restoration of wetlands.
The special recognition winner is outstanding in water gardens creating a stunning garden focal point blooming from May through October. Although it originates in marshy coastal areas, this plant can be cultivated in a variety of soils and moisture levels.
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos adds color to shoreline plantings along with the hummingbirds and butterflies the perennial attracts. This is both a perennial and a halophyte, or salt-tolerant plant, that grows in areas where other plants cannot.
Please check with local experts about the hardiness of these plants in your area.
The Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal was established in 1995 to highlight underutilized, but highly worthy, native trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, and perennials. The goal is to draw attention to select native plants, encourage their use in the landscape, and make them familiar to gardeners and more available in nurseries. The annual medal selection is carried out by a group of highly respected horticulturists from across the country. Woody and herbaceous plants are nominated in alternate years. The 2022 winners were selected from 15 herbaceous plants nominated by members of GCA clubs.
The medal honors Montine McDaniel Freeman (1915-98), a member of the New Orleans Town Gardeners, Inc., and was established by her son and daughter-in-law. Mrs. Freeman was an outstanding horticulturist and was particularly enamored of native plants. Her 93-acre Beechwood Gardens in Covington, Louisiana boasted more than 4,000 azaleas, camellias, and southern magnolias.
In Other News...
Sustainable Design & Environmental Conservation
February 03, 2022
Advocating for the Environment
February 01, 2022
Establishing a Pollinator Garden at the San Antonio Zoo
January 27, 2022