Best Performing Plants from Our Gardens This Year

When the flurry of fall cleanup is done, it’s fun to reflect on the triumphs of the growing season before winter sets in. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and their guest dish the dirt on plants with cool new colors, outstanding vigor, and other noteworthy traits that earned them a spot on the list of best performing plants. Which of their favorites might find their way into your garden next year?

Expert: Kristin Beane Sullivan is the executive editor of Garden GateFine Gardening, and Horticulture.

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Danielle’s Best Performing Plant Picks

• ‘Sugar Kisses’ goldenrod (Solidago ‘Sugar Kisses’, Zones 5–8)
• ‘Vivid Violet’ cuphea (Cuphea reclining ‘Vivid Violet’, Zones 9–11)
• Berry White^™ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renba’, Zones 3–9)
• ‘Prairie Princess’ ironweed (Vernonia ‘Prairie Princess’, Zones 4–9)

Carol’s Best Performing Plant Picks

• ‘Burgundy’ African geranium (Pelargonium × sidoides ‘Burgundy’, Zones 9–11)
• ‘Flying Dragon’ hardy orange (Citrus trifoliata‘Flying Dragon’, Zones 5–9)
• ‘Alexandria’ alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca ‘Alexandria’, Zones 5–8)
• ‘Tangerine Sorbet’ dahlia (Dahlia ‘Tangerine Sorbet’, Zones 8–10)

Kristin’s Best Performing Plant Picks for 2025

• ‘Totally Tangerine’ geum (Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’, Zones 5–7)
• Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytrichaZones 4–7)
• Ray^™ Shadow petunia (Petunia × hybrid ‘Ray Shadow’, Zones 10–11)

All photos from the contributors unless noted otherwise.