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Summary of the ISU Award Event and Awarded Plants
On Wednesday, August 13th, the International Hardy Plant Union (ISU) – a prominent international organization uniting around 500 perennial growers and sellers from Europe, the USA, Canada, and Argentina – presented its annual awards to four newly introduced perennial plant varieties, celebrated as the year's most exciting horticultural innovations. The event was hosted during ISU's annual congress in Gothenburg, Sweden, where 75 delegates gathered over four days to recognize and highlight these standout cultivars. As part of the process, ISU members had previously submitted their new plant introductions for evaluation, with the entered varieties established last year in the Gothenburg Botanical Garden's Stallbacken border, where they could be observed in situ by both delegates and the public.
Each year, ISU members may submit new perennials they have developed or discovered. These submissions are rigorously assessed for both ornamental qualities, such as appearance and flower form, and key cultivation traits including hardiness and garden performance. Out of the submitted varieties, a maximum of five perennials may receive the prestigious ISU award annually, underscoring the high standards for selection. Many winning varieties subsequently make their way into local nurseries, enriching the plant palette available to Swedish and international gardeners.
The 2024 ISU Award-Winning Plants
1. Astrantia major 'Abbey Road' – stjärnflocka
A perennial of exceptional beauty and resilience, 'Abbey Road' is a vigorous selection of stjärnflocka (great masterwort), remarkable for its bushy, clump-forming habit and upright, almost black stems. Its distinctive, deep reddish-purple pincushion-like umbels are surrounded by a collar of papery bracts, blooming from June to October. The richly colored flowers and attractive glossy foliage make 'Abbey Road' a sought-after choice for both mixed borders and cut arrangements, as well as for gardens with partial shade. Besides its long-lasting blooms, the plant is also known for forming attractive clumps by way of underground runners, adding both structure and color to perennial beds.
2. Delphinium elatum 'Dusky maidens' – stor riddarsporre
This new selection of stor riddarsporre (tall larkspur) commands attention with its stately, high flower spires. While specific coloration details are not provided, the evocative name 'Dusky Maidens' hints at softly muted or dusky-hued blossoms, perfectly suited to cottage gardens or as dramatic vertical accents. Delphinium varieties like this are esteemed for their generous, showy blooms and their ability to bring both height and a touch of romanticism to perennial borders.
3. Echinacea 'Coconut Lime' – röd solhatt
Among the coneflowers, 'Coconut Lime' stands out due to its unique color combination: creamy white petals coupled with an eye-catching, lime-green double central cone. Its strikingly bicolored flowers provide a refreshing twist within perennial beds and make it especially attractive to pollinators. Like other Echinacea types, this variety is robust, easy to cultivate, and blooms for much of the summer, bringing both beauty and ecological value to gardens.
4. Helleborus 'Winter Moonbeam' – julros
The fourth award goes to a new cultivar of julros (Christmas rose), likely bred for outstanding decorative qualities, such as marbled foliage or subtle, moonlit flowers that brighten the garden during the late winter and early spring. Helleborus varieties are widely valued for their evergreen leaves and their capacity to flower when little else is in bloom, making them indispensable for winter interest.
About the ISU and Its Role
The ISU (International Hardy Plant Union) plays a significant role within horticulture by fostering innovation, encouraging excellence in plant breeding, and connecting professionals across continents. The annual ISU awards thus not only highlight top new perennial varieties, but also shape horticultural trends and inspire both professional growers and amateur gardeners to seek out plants that offer desirable aesthetics and robust garden performance.
Context and Impact
The 2024 prize-winning perennials represent the vitality and creativity within modern plant breeding. Varieties such as Astrantia major 'Abbey Road' are expected to gain popularity among both garden enthusiasts and landscape designers for their enduring beauty and adaptability. Thanks to ISU's rigorous evaluation process and the visibility offered through such awards, gardeners benefit from a constantly evolving palette of remarkable, reliable plants for sustainable and imaginative landscaping.
Image credits: ISU Awards / Göteborgs botaniska trädgård