Each year the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) designates one perennial as the "Perennial Plant of the Year". Selection is based on multiple seasons of interest, suitability for a wide range of climates, low maintenance and ease of propagation. Although the selection process is a bit political most of these plants are garden-worthy.

2006 Dianthus 'Firewitch'
2005 Helleborus x hybridus ("Lenten Rose")
2004 Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum' ("Japanese Painted Fern")
2003 Leucanthemum 'Becky" ("Becky Shasta Daisy")
2002 Phlox 'David' ("David Summer Phlox")
2001 Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'
2000 Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'
1999 Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' ("Black Eyed Susan")
1998 Echinacea 'Magnus' ("Magnus Purple Coneflower")
1997 Salvia 'May Night'
1996 Penstemon 'Husker Red'
1995 Perovskia atriplicifolia ("Russian Sage")
1994 Astilbe 'Sprite'
1993 Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'
1992 Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'
1991 Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
1990 Phlox stolonifera