Proven Winners logo surrounded by floral plants next to a green box that says 2026 national plants of the year Proven Winners logo surrounded by floral plants next to a green box that says 2026 national plants of the year Proven Winners logo surrounded by floral plants next to a green box that says 2026 national plants of the year
Proven Winners logo surrounded by floral plants next to a green box that says 2026 national plants of the year

2026 Proven Winners Plants of the Year

heidi grasman |  january 7, 2026

Gardening enthusiasts, get ready! The 2026 Proven Winners Plants of the Year have been announced, and they promise to liven up gardens everywhere. Known for their exceptional quality and performance, Proven Winners plants are favorites among gardeners seeking the best for their outdoor spaces.

 

The Proven Winners 2026 Plants of the Year list is a treasure trove for both serious gardeners and casual plant lovers. From the heat-tolerant Safari Dusk Jamesbrittenia to the dramatic Dark Side of the Moon Astilbe, each variety brings something unique to the table. Whether you’re filling containers, building a pollinator-friendly border, or planning a long-season shrub planting, these plants are smart picks. 

2026 Annual of the Year

Safari® Dusk™ Jamesbrittenia

What’s special: This heat-tolerant South African native offers nonstop blooms from planting until frost. Unlike its close relative Sutera, Safari Dusk tolerates heat, humidity, and even wind and heavy rain without shutting down. Use this annual Jamesbrittenia in containers or landscape beds for season long color. A light trim and mid-season feed helps to renew blooming and fullness throughout the season.


Key stats: Part sun to full sun, 6–12″ tall x 12–24″ spread, prefers good draining soil, drought tolerant.  

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2026 Landscape Annual of the Year

Señorita Rosalita® Cleome

What’s special: This is a modern take on cleome (spider flower) with several enhancements over standard cleome. Señorita Rosalita® is thornless, self-cleaning, and has delicate lavender-pink blooms that attract butterflies and birds. It doesn’t reseed as aggressively as other varieties of cleome thanks to its sterile flowers, making it a low-maintenance plant and non-invasive. Use Señora Rosalita in large containers as a thriller, or plant in mass for a vibrant show of color. Since it’s thornless, it’s more gardener-friendly than traditional cleomes.

 

Key stats: Full sun, 24–48″ tall x 18–24″ spread, dry to moderate soil, drought tolerant, attracts pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds, deer resistant.  

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2026 Caladium of the Year

Heart to Heart® ‘Chinook’ Caladium

What’s special: The Heart to Heart® ‘Chinook’ caladium features soft salmon-pink leaves edged in green, delivering tropical flair in both shade and sun. It scored high in trials for both garden habit and color performance, making it ideal for both container plantings and border use. Because of its versatility with light, you can mix Chinook Caladium with your favorite sun or shade annuals  in landscape beds.  

Key stats: Sun or shade, but will perform better in part to full shade, 12–14″ tall x 8–10″ spread, prefers moist, well-drained soil, deer resistant. 

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2026 Perennial of the Year

‘Dark Side of the Moon’ Astilbe

What’s special: This is the first dark-leafed Astilbe, with rich chocolate-brown foliage that sets off its rosy-purple flower plumes. Dark Side of the Moon’s dark leaves make it great for dramatic contrast in the garden. Plant in a part-shade border with other moisture-loving perennials, making sure the soil stays evenly moist, especially in sun, to ensure strong growth and long life.

 

Key stats: Part shade is ideal but tolerates sun in cooler climates, perennial in zones 4-9, 20–22″ tall with flower plumes up to ~34″ x 24–28″ spread, prefers consistently moist soil (not drought tolerant), bee-friendly, deer and rabbit resistant. 

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2026 Landscape Perennial of the Year

Decadence® ‘Lemon Meringue’ Baptisia

What’s special: This compact false-indigo features lemon-yellow flower spikes on charcoal-grey stems, creating a striking color contrast in the garden. Decadence® ‘Lemon Meringue’ Baptisia is excellent for pollinator gardens, with bees and butterflies flocking to its blooms. An easy to grow variety of Baptisia, Lemon Meringue’ requires little to no maintenance and can be used in borders or as a specimen plant. It also has attractive seed pods in fall, adding seasonal interest.

 

Key stats: Full sun, perennial in zones 4-9, 30–36″ tall x 30–36″ spread, dry to moderate moisture, adapts well to well-drained soil, attracts pollinators, deer resistant and native. 

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2026 Flowering Shrub of the Year

Double Play Dolly® Spirea

What’s special: A compact and colorful shrub, Double Play Dolly® Spirea’s new spring foliage emerges orange-red, matures to chartreuse, and then is topped with electric purple-pink blooms.  Spirea are great for mass plantings, low hedges, or as a colorful border. Double Play Dolly blooms on new wood, so pruning after bloom encourages new growth and more flowering next year.

 

Key stats: Full sun to part sun, hardy in zones 3a-8b, 18–30″ tall x 18–30″ spread, dry to moderate soil, adaptable to typical garden soils, attracts pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds, drought tolerant, deer resistant.  

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2026 Rose of the Year

Rise Up® Lilac Days Rose

What’s special: A “mini-climber” rose with soft lilac-blue blooms and a strong, sweet fragrance. Rise Up® Lilac Days Rose is highly disease-resistant and versatile, allowing you to grow it as a climber or as a shrub depending on pruning. If you train it up an arbor or let it climb a fence, it can reach heights of 5-8 feet. Prune lightly each spring (cut back by ~1/3) and fertilize for continuous bloom. Deadheading is optional because it reblooms reliably.


Key stats: Full sun, hardy zones 4a-9a, 60–96″ tall if trained but can be kept more compact as a shrub x 24–48″, needs well-drained soil and average watering, attracts butterflies, deer resistant. 

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2026 Landscape Shrub of the Year

Limelight® Prime Hydrangea

What’s special: A refined version of the classic Limelight panicle hydrangea, Limelight Prime® has stronger stems, a more compact form, and long-lasting chartreuse blooms that age to pink and red later in the season. Use Limelight Prime® as a flowering hedge in borders or as a specimen shrub. Limelight Prime blooms on new wood, so cut back in late winter/early spring to control size and encourage strong new growth and blooms.

 

Key stats: Part sun to full sun, hardy zones 3-9, 4–6′ tall x 4-6’ spread, likes well-drained but consistently moist soil. 

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Prepare your garden for the 2026 growing season by incorporating these exceptional plants and enjoy the beauty and satisfaction that comes with Proven Winners®. With their proven track record of excellence, these plants are sure to bring joy and vibrancy to any garden, creating a space that you can be proud of and enjoy for years to come.  

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