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High Country Gardens
Plant Of The Year

Each year, we highlight a perennial that has proven to be a must-have for High Country Gardeners. They exemplify the most important aspects of our plants: they're waterwise, attractive, known for reliable garden performance, and they benefit pollinators and wildlife. Learn more about these unique plants.

Featured Plants From Years Past

A hummingbird sips nectar from the coral and lavender colored flowers of Agastache rupestris

2023
Agastache rupestris
Licorice Mint Hyssop
Hummingbird Mint

A superior perennial enjoyed for its spicy fragrance, uniquely colored flowers, and finely textured foliage.

Blue and white blooms of FlowerKisser™ Delft Blue & White English Lavender

2022
Lavandula
'FlowerKisser™ Delft Blue & White'
English Lavender

A unique cultivar with white and blue blooms that shift with the seasons, ideal for the avid Lavender collector.

Bright pink, gently arching flowering stems of FlowerKisser™ Weeping Pink Hesperaloe

2021
Hesperaloe parviflora
'FlowerKisser™ Weeping Pink'
Texas Yucca

Graceful, arching stems and bright pink blooms make this selection stand out in waterwise landscapes.

A close look at the bright white floweres of Cheyenne® Mock Orange

2020
Philadelphus lewisii
'Cheyenne®'
Mock Orange

Learn more about this plant's long history and its triumph in plant trials in the Intermountain West.

Deep purple blooms of FlowerKisser™ After Midnight English Lavender

2019
Lavandula angustifolia
'FlowerKisser™ After Midnight'
English Lavender

Close-up of Standing Ovation Little Bluestem Grass

2018
Schizachyrium scoparium
'Standing Ovation'
Little Bluestem Grass

'Straight Up Red' Hesperaloe and Perovskia (Russian Sage)

2017
Hesperaloe parviflora
'Straight Up Red'
Texas Yucca

Small, tubular, bright orange flowers of Penstemon pinifolius Luminous light up a xeriscape garden

2016
Penstemon pinifolius
'Luminous'
Pineleaf Penstemon

Rich purple flower spikes of the compact Salvia sylvestris 'Little Night'

2015
Salvia sylvestris
'Little Night'
European Sage

Poncha Pass Red Sulphur Buckwheat in a rock garden

2014
Eriogonum umbellatum
'Poncha Pass Red'
Sulfur Buckwheat

Bubblegum pink flowers of Phlox nana ‘Perfect Pink’

2013
Phlox nana
'Perfect Pink'
Santa Fe Phlox

Close up of the tan seed heads of Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass - 2011 Plant Of The Year

2011
Bouteloua gracilis
'Blonde Ambition'
Blue Grama Grass

Close-up of Major Wheeler Honeysuckle Vine

2010
Lonicera sempervirens
'Major Wheeler'
Honeysuckle Vine

Vivid blue blooms of Blue Lips Penstemon

2009
Penstemon
'Blue Lips'
Beardtongue

Bright purple and blue flower clusters of Blue Flame Giant Purple Salvia

2008
Salvia pachyphylla
'Blue Flame'
Giant Purple Sage

Bold yellow blooms of Shimmer Evening Primrose

2007
Oenothera fremontii
'Shimmer'
Evening Primrose

Silver Spike Grass or Achnatherum calamagrostis

2006

Achnatherum calamagrostis
Silver Spike Grass

Hummingbird and bright pink Agastache Ava flowers

2006

Agastache
'Ava'
Ava's Hummingbird Mint

Feeling Inspired? Grow These Must-Have Perennials In Your Garden