The Garden Club of America Announces 2026 Plant of the Year

 

September 24, 2025

The Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal is awarded annually to acknowledge the cultivation and use of native plants, trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines, and perennials that are little known but deemed worthy to be preserved, propagated, promoted, and planted.  This year, Vernonia lettermannii, comm on name ‘Iron Butterfly’, has been named 2026 Plant of the Year: Freeman Medal winner.  

Learn about the Freeman Medal winner and the other outstanding plants that were awarded Honorable Mention and Special Recognition. 

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