Episode 187: 2025 Year in Review | Best Performing Plants  

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 Gate, Fine 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 procumbens ‘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 brachytricha, Zones 4–7) 
• Ray^™ Shadow petunia (Petunia × hybrida ‘Ray Shadow’, Zones 10–11) 

All photos from the contributors unless noted otherwise.