PHS unveils 2026 Gold Medal Plant award winners
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has announced its 2026 Gold Medal Plant winners, a curated list of standout plants now available at garden retailers across the region.
Established in 1979, the Gold Medal Plant program celebrates beautiful, easy-to-grow plants selected for their durability and ability to thrive in Mid-Atlantic conditions. Selections are based on criteria including ease of cultivation, multiple seasons of interest, commercial availability, regional suitability and value to wildlife.
The Gold Medal Plant Program, aims to help gardeners make confident planting choices. Each year, a panel of horticulturists, growers and garden experts evaluates both new and time-tested varieties, selecting plants that perform well across a range of conditions and offer real value in the landscape.
The 2026 PHS Gold Medal Plant winners are:
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’
Perennial
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Storm Cloud’, commonly known as bluestar, is a native perennial that is one of the first Amsonia to emerge and bloom in the spring. It produces deep inky-purple stems followed by darker-than-usual blue flowers. Its summer foliage eventually loses most of its darker tones but remains attractive through fall when it occasionally develops a yellow color. This reliable, deer-resistant plant forms a dense, clumping mound almost like a small shrub and is suitable for smaller space gardens. This species can also take a little more shade and moisture than others while remaining adaptable to full sun and drier soils as well. It typically reaches a height of 24 to 30 inches and a width of 36 to 42 inches and is hardy in zones 4 through 8.
Chionanthus retusus ‘Tokyo Tower’
Tree
Chionanthus retusus ‘Tokyo Tower’, Chinese fringetree, is a small- to medium-sized upright tree with an abundance of fluffy white flowers in the spring. In the fall, the flowers mature into blueberry-like fruit and dark green foliage, which turns bright yellow. It is suitable for small space gardens and is noted for its upright and fastigiate habit. It can also be used as a street tree since it is tolerant of urban conditions. It grows 12 to 15 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide and is hardy in zones 5 through 9.
Daphniphyllum macropodum
Shrub
Daphniphyllum macropodum, also known as false Daphne, has shiny green leaves with attractive pink petioles, the stems that attach the leaves to the main branch. It is a great, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that tolerates sun and shade, especially dry shade. It exhibits considerable resistance to deer. It typically grows to be 15 to 25 feet tall and is hardy in zones 6 through 9.
Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’
Tree
Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’ is a native tree commonly known as Eastern red-cedar. It is a popular choice for landscapes needing a tall, slender, evergreen screen or accent, especially in situations where space is limited. ‘Taylor’ is known for its drought tolerance and resistance to deer, making it a relatively low-maintenance option. It can grow to be 15 to 25 feet tall and 4 feet wide and is hardy in zones 4 through 8.
Sorghastrum nutans Golden Sunset
Perennial
Sorghastrum nutans Golden Sunset is commonly called Indian grass. This native grass has olive-green foliage and golden yellow flowers that attract butterflies. It is a very vigorous grass and works well when interplanted with native perennials and other native grasses. It is deer-resistant, and its blue-green summer foliage transitions to shades of yellow-orange and golden tan as autumn arrives. It grows to be 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide and is hardy in zones 3 through 9.
Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Bluebird’
Perennial
Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Bluebird’, smooth aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family that is native to central and eastern U.S. It is a must-have for the garden due to the late-season blooms and the many pollinators it attracts. It is covered in daisy-like purplish-blue flowers from September to late fall. This aster is easy to grow in well-drained average garden soil using full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established and can be used in perennial borders, a pollinator garden or naturalized areas. ‘Bluebird’ can grow to be 3 to 4 feet tall and 24 inches wide and is hardy in zones 4 through 8.
Photos courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
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