Theodore Klein Plant Awards
Named for one of the patriarchs of the Kentucky Nursery Industry
Theodore Klein
A program promoting superior woody and herbaceous perennial plants for Kentucky Landscapes.
Named for one of the patriarchs of the Kentucky nursery industry, each year the Theodore Klein Plant Awards Committee announces a slate of plants that offer excellent ornamental and performance characteristics in the Kentucky climate. Award winners are selected each year by a panel of plant professionals from wholesale and retail nurseries, design firms, public horticulture and academic institutions.
Explore the Theodore Klein Plant Award Winners
2025 Theodore Klein Plant Award Winners Announced
They’re here! Each year a panel of Kentucky green industry professionals hunkers down in a dark and smoky room and battles it out to see which plant nominees will make the list. This list, which started back in 1999, is now the go-to collection of woody and herbaceous garden plants for the region.
Tilia tomentosa
Silver Linden
‘Sterling'
- Cold Hardiness: Zone 5
- Size: 50' Tall
- Light Requirement: Full Sun
- Flowering Time: Late Spring
- Kentucky Native: No
- Year added to list: 2025
A vigorous growing tree to 50’ tall with a uniform outline, dense shade with leaves of deep green above and silver beneath, turning brilliant gold in fall. Late spring, creamy yellow flowers are sweetly fragrant. Super support for bees. Best in full sun.
Cornus controversa
Giant Dogwood
'June Snow - JFS' June Snow™
- Cold Hardiness: Zone 5
- Size: 20-30' Tall
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Sun
- Flowering Time: Late Spring
- Kentucky Native: No
- Year added to list: 2025
Stunning 20-30’-tall, broad spreading tree with attractive, horizontal branching. It is prized for its early summer, creamy white blooms that attract a wide range of pollinators and its excellent red/maroon fall foliage. Fall blue/black fruit are attractive to many birds. Grows best in full sun or part shade.
Physocarpus opulifolius
Dwarf Nine Bark
'SMNPOTW' Tiny Wine®
- Cold Hardiness: Zone 4
- Size: 3-4' Tall & Wide
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Sun
- Flowering Time: Late Spring
- Kentucky Native: Yes
- Year added to list: 2025
Dwarf, burgundy leafed selection of this North American native makes a dense, fine textured mound to 3-4’ tall and wide. The dark foliage makes excellent contrast with late spring masses of lightly fragrant white/pink flowers. Tough, durable shrub that looks good all summer. Best in full sun or light shade.
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Dwarf Hinoki Faslecypress
dwarf cultivars
- Cold Hardiness: Zone 4
- Size: 3'-8' tall
- Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Sun
- Flowering Time: n/a
- Kentucky Native: No
- Year added to list: 2025
Diverse group of low growing, sculptural, compact evergreens maturing at 3’ to 8’ depending on cultivar. Many varieties available with either bright or dark green or bright gold foliage. Best in full sun or light shade. Useful as a featured specimen, container plant, or in a rock garden specimen.
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Blue Star Amsonia
'Storm Cloud'
- Cold Hardiness: Zone 4
- Size: 3' Tall
- Light Requirement: Full Sun
- Flowering Time: Spring
- Kentucky Native: Yes
- Year added to list: 2025
Native North American sun plant that forms dense masses of erect stems to about 3’ tall, topped with sky blue flowers in spring. ‘Storm Cloud’ is a very vigorous form with deep, almost black stems and heavy flowering. Best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Disporopsis pernyi
Evergreen Solomon Seal
- Cold Hardiness: Zone 5
- Size: 12" Tall
- Light Requirement: Full to Partial Shade
- Flowering Time: Spring
- Kentucky Native: No
- Year added to list: 2025
Stunning low groundcover to about 12” tall with evergreen (down to about 8 degrees F) glossy, deep green leaves. Spring flowers are white/green bells to about ¾” long, hanging below the foliage. Modest spreader, easy to grow with average moisture and full to light shade.
