Each year the Perennial Plant Association announces their Perennial of the Year, which is chosen based on many attributes and voted on by the association members. There have been some great perennials over the years, and for 2023, they have chosen another great perennial…one that I have personally been using for the past few years. The 2023 Perennial Plant of the Year is Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ (Black-eyed Susan), and what a stunning addition it can make to any garden with its dazzling color mid-summer thru the fall season. Its 3” bright golden yellow flowers feature arching rays and a reddish halo surrounding dark chocolate cones. And trust me, those flowers literally cover the compact perennial (24” by 36 to 40” wide). The leaves have a silvery cast on sunny days, and by the way, show great resistance to Septoria leaf spot. Butterflies and other pollinators love it, and the songbirds will enjoy the seedheads into the winter – which can provide winter interest. In the ground or in containers, this winning perennial is definitely dinner and a show.