June is Perennial Gardening Month in the United States. Perennials, plants that come back year after year, are important components of quality landscapes.

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Each year beginning in 1990, the members of the Perennial Plant Association have selected a perennial plant of the year. These are selected based on a number of criteria.

First, they must be able to grow in a wide range of climates within the United States. Second, they must be relatively free of disease and insect problems. Third, plants must be low maintenance and easy to grow. Fourth, they must be easy to propagate either by cuttings, division, or true-to-type seed. Fifth, the plant must be readily available in nurseries and garden stores at the time of its selection. Finally, the plants must exhibit multi-season interest.

Many of the plants selected as perennial of the year have become staples in the landscape: “Moonbeam” coreopsis, “Magnus” coneflower, “Goldstrum” black-eyed Susan just to name a few. But several of the newest selections are not as well known to gardeners and are worthy of greater use.

The 2007 selection was “Walker’s Low” catmint, a spreading perennial with gray foliage and light purple flowers that last from early spring to late fall. It will eventually grow to a height of about 3 feet with an equal spread. It is one of the few plants that can truly claim to be deer resistant, as it’s foliage has a scent that deer dislike. It prefers sun, but can take a few hours of shade, and mixes well with yellow flowering plants such as daylilies and coreopsis,

In 2008, “Rozanne” Geranium was chosen. This perennial geranium looks quite different than it’s annual cousin, having small violet flowers rather than large clusters of red. It is great to use as a ground cover or in rock gardens, as it grows to height of 12-18 inches with a spread of about two feet. It prefers afternoon shade and moist well-drained soil.

This year’s selection is an ornamental grass, Hakonechloa macra “Aurea’. It is golden yellow grass that grows to about 18 inches high and two feet wide. Hakonechloa prefers partial shade and makes a fantastic contrast with dark leaved plants such as the red-leaved coral bells.

The Roanoke Valley Farmers Market is now open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm. 0Squash, greens, onions, potatoes, and some hydroponically grown greenhouse vegetables are available, as well as baked goods, cut flowers, crafts and rain barrels.

Matthew Stevens is the horticulture extension agent for Halifax County Cooperative Extension. If you have any questions about this article or other aspects of your home gardening, please contact Matthew at 583-5161 or matt_stevens@ncsu.edu.