PHS Gold Medal Plants 2025
Discover the Gold Medal Plant Program—PHS’s top picks for stunning, resilient plants perfect for Mid-Atlantic gardens! Take a look to see what North Creek proudly offers from the award-winning list!
Discover the Gold Standard in Gardening with PHS’s Gold Medal Plant Program
Looking to elevate your garden with plants that are not only stunning but also thrive in the Mid-Atlantic region? Meet your new best gardening friends—courtesy of the PHS Gold Medal Plant Program from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS).
Launched in 1979, this celebrated program shines a spotlight on exceptional plant varieties that combine beauty, resilience, and ecological value. Each year, a panel of expert horticulturists selects a fresh lineup of standout plants—including perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses, edibles, trees, and even show-stopping vines. What makes a plant Gold Medal-worthy? Think of it like a gardening dream team: these plants must be low-maintenance, adaptable to different conditions, visually impressive, and beneficial to local ecosystems.
So far, more than 150 plants have earned this coveted title—and each one is handpicked for its ability to flourish in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8. That means they’re perfectly suited for gardens across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
But the Gold Medal Plant Program is just one part of the PHS mission. Founded way back in 1827, PHS is an internationally respected nonprofit that harnesses the power of gardening to make communities healthier, greener, and more connected. Through their wide-ranging programs, PHS is planting seeds of change across 250+ neighborhoods, transforming public spaces into vibrant landscapes, creating access to fresh produce, opening doors to green jobs, and bringing people together through the joy of horticulture.
And if you’ve ever strolled through the world-famous PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, you’ve seen PHS magic in full bloom.
Ready to grow like a pro? With the Gold Medal Plant Program, finding garden-ready winners has never been easier or more inspiring. Take a look at what North Creek proudly offers from the award-winning list!
Carex cherokeensis
Carex cherokeensis is stepping into the spotlight as a go-to choice for meadow-style and naturalistic plantings and for good reason. This native sedge brings a graceful, soft-to-medium texture that adds subtle movement and lush greenery to the landscape. Reaching 12 to 18 inches tall and spreading up to 2 feet, this clump-forming sedge makes an excellent taller groundcover and is a dependable partner in erosion control. Its well-mannered growth habit means it won’t run wild, making it ideal for curated landscapes with a natural look. Beyond its good looks and garden usefulness, it supports local wildlife in a big way. Its seeds offer a food source for native birds, while the foliage provides essential habitat and nourishment for beneficial insects. Beauty, function, and ecological value in one elegant package.
Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet'
‘Gardenview Scarlet’ brings bold color and unbeatable resilience to the summer garden. Known as one of the most mildew-resistant bee balms out there, this standout variety earns its place in any sunny landscape. It forms tidy clumps crowned with a profusion of vivid, rose-red blooms that rise on strong stems up to 3 feet tall. From June through August, this long-blooming perennial puts on a dazzling display—especially when planted in sweeping drifts. Not only does it light up borders, prairies, and meadows with vibrant color, but it also acts as a pollinator magnet, drawing in butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds by the dozens. And here’s the bonus: ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ is rabbit and deer resistant, so you can enjoy the show without worry. It’s a classic variety that combines show-stopping beauty with garden smarts—perfect for adding a touch of wild charm to informal settings.
Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'
‘Fireworks’ lives up to its name with radiant, arching golden blooms that truly resemble a burst of fireworks. This compact, clump-forming native cultivar adds a brilliant splash of late-season color just as summer winds down. Tough and adaptable, ‘Fireworks’ earned top marks in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Solidago trials. In our own experience, it’s been a stellar performer in both lean, part-shade spots and full sun beds—including a challenging site on top of an old mushroom soil dump. Wherever it’s planted, it explodes with pollinator activity—buzzing with bees, wasps, skippers, beetles, and more. Beyond its visual and ecological appeal, Solidago rugosa also supports local wildlife. It serves as a host plant for moth caterpillars and leaf beetles, while its ripening seeds feed small birds like goldfinches and indigo buntings. Resilient, radiant, and ecologically rich—‘Fireworks’ is a garden gem that keeps the party going well into fall.
