Top Performer Program

The Top Performer in Mt. Cuba Center Trials Program was created based on the research of Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE. Each of the plants in this program received a rating of 4.0 or higher in their trials (on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest).

The Mt. Cuba Center research team uses the Trial Gardens to evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, and to highlight the ecosystem services native plants provide. Our partnership with Mt. Cuba Center will help ensure that many of these great garden plants continue to be sold in the trade. 

For more information on the ongoing and previous trials at Mt. Cuba Center, visit their Trial Garden page.

The Top Performer in Mt. Cuba Center Trials Program includes the following plants:

• Aster 
  • divaricatus ‘Eastern Star’
  • ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’
  • novi-belgii ‘Wood’s Purple’
  • oblongifolius ‘October Skies’
  • oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’
• Baptisia  
  • ‘Ivory Towers’ PP26,827
  • Prairieblues™ ‘Lunar Eclipse’ PP25,875
  • Prairieblues™ ‘Royal Purple’ PP25,508
  • Prairieblues™ ‘Twilite’ PP19,011
  • ‘Purple Smoke’
• Coreopsis 
  • ‘Gilded Lace’
  • palustris ‘Summer Sunshine’
  • verticillata
• Echinacea 
  • Butterfly™ ‘Julia’ PP24,629
  • Butterfly™ Postman ‘Post301’ PP28,524
  • Butterfly™ ‘Purple Emperor’ PP24,459
  • ‘Fragrant Angel’ PP16,054
  • ‘Glowing Dream’ PP24,329
  • KISMET® Intense Orange ‘TNECHKIO’ PP28,769
  • KISMET® Raspberry ‘TNECHKR’ PP28,768
  • purpurea ‘Baby White Swan’
  • purpurea ‘Pica Bella’
  • purpurea PowWow® White ‘Pas709018’
  • purpurea ‘Ruby Star’
  • purpurea ‘Vintage Wine’
  • ‘Sensation Pink’ PP26,593
  • Sombrero® Blanco ‘Balsomblanc’
  • Sombrero® Flamenco Orange ‘Balsomenco’ PP25,523
  • Sombrero® Poco™ Hot Coral ‘Balsomcor’ PP23,097
• Heuchera
  • ‘Apple Crisp’ PP23,576
  • ‘Citronelle’ PP17,934
  • ‘Frosted Violet’ PP15,085
  • ‘Plum Pudding’
  • ‘Southern Comfort’ PP20,364
  • ‘Spellbound’ PP24,103
  • villosa ‘Autumn Bride’ 
  • villosa ‘Bronze Wave’
  • villosa ‘Caramel’ PP16,560
• Monarda
  • fistulosa ‘Claire Grace’
  • ‘Gardenview Scarlet’
  • ‘Judith’s Fancy Fuchsia’
  • ‘Purple Rooster’
  • ‘Raspberry Wine’
• Phlox
  • carolina ssp. carolina ‘Kim’
  • carolina ssp. carolina ‘Minnie Pearl’
  • Earlibeauty® ‘Solar Flare’ PP27,265
  • glaberrima ‘Morris Berd’
  • paniculata GARDEN GIRLS® ‘Glamour Girl’ PP25,778
  • paniculata ‘Jeana’
  • stolonifera ‘Sherwood Purple’