The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has released its list of Gold Medal Plants for 2025 ... plants that do particularly well in the Mid-Atlantic region ... but they'll do just fine in other parts of the country as well.
Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance'
Serviceberry Tree
This spring flowering small tree grows upright, 15-25' tall, with a spreading habit and striking appearance. After the star-shaped white blooms fade, edible berries that transition from red to deep purple appear, attracting songbirds and pollinators. In fall, the leaves turn a brilliant orange and red, making this a true four-season plant. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Acer rubrum Redpointe®
Redpoint Red Maple
A native American maple, you might consider Redpoint because it tolerates heat and drought, but also does well in wet conditions. It has a better branching habit and of course fabulous red fall color when grown in full sun. It gets up to 45 feet tall and is hardy in zones 4-8.
Carex cherokeensis
There's always a place in every yard for a great groundcover, so look no further than this particular sedge. It's known for its attractive seed heads and texture, and can be planted in masses or in smaller numbers, depending on the garden space. It reaches 12-24 inches tall and wide and is hardy in zones 6-8.
Leucothoe axillaris 'ReJoyce'
I've always loved the look of leucothoe, but it's not always easy to grow. This is an evergreen native shrub that's deer-resistant and is quite tolerant of shade. In spring, the emerging new leaves are red, and small white flowers appear on the arching branches. In fall, the leaves turn a deep bronze purple. Two to four feet tall, hardy in zones 5-7. Certainly worth a try.
Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'
There is nothing like goldenrod in the late summer and fall, and this is the one you want to plant in your yard. The small flowers have a lovely scent, and it attracts lots of pollinators. Three to four feet tall with a spread of three feet, hardy in zones 4-8.
See all of the info on these plants and more here.
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