What are Georgia Gold Medal Winners?

Each year, I anxiously wait to see the top plant picks for Georgia — the Georgia Gold Medal winners.

Every year since 1994, a combination of outstanding ornamental plants are chosen by nurserymen, flower growers, extension agents and faculty at the University of Georgia. This year’s selections are considered the best of the best.

This low-maintenance gem produces small, wispy white leaves that grow through the fall. It is a great companion plant that complements other plants in containers and landscapes. It requires partial shade and can grow up to 12 inches.

This is a native wildflower throughout much of the eastern United States. Although it is called a weed, it is not invasive or weedy. They can grow up to 3 feet. From June to September, this plant produces flat top clusters of yellow-orange flowers that attract butterflies like magnets.

An evergreen groundcover, Sedums are one of the most popular plants on the market today due to their drought and heat tolerance and low maintenance. Their colorful foliage is chartreuse in spring, yellow in summer and orange-red in fall. They grow up to 6 inches and can spread to 3 feet. Plant it on a dry, sunny bank or combine it with a contrasting dark purple foliage plant like purple passion, ajuga or purple fountain grass.

This hydrangea can grow up to 8 feet with an equal spread. They are beautiful when planted in groups of three to five, combined with a perennial border for a nice summer show. They can also be planted in large pots. The "limelight" prefers full sun and moist well-drained soil. In July, it blooms creamy white flower clusters and then turns chartreuse in summer to rosy pink in the fall.

This redwood can be used as a dazzling focal point with its brilliant golden-yellow foliage that glows in the sunlight. This redwood is a large, deciduous conifer which can reach heights of 100 feet, which makes it unsuitable for most residential landscape. But planted along ponds or lakes in groups of two to three make a scenic attention grabber as the water reflects the golden foliage. It is also suitable for parks or golf course fairways.