2026 Perennial Plant Association Symposium Recap
The Darwin Perennials team recently attended the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) Symposium at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The event brought together perennial breeders, greenhouse growers, landscape designers and passionate perennial people from across North America to share insights on perennial plants, nativars, and emerging landscape trends.
In addition to learning about the latest developments in perennial breeding and landscape design, our team had the opportunity to connect with many passionate perennial professionals and industry leaders.
New Ornamental Grasses Take Center Stage
One of the highlights of the symposium was the introduction of our new ornamental grass varieties, Dream Catcher® and Free Spirit®. During the event, Darren Barshaw, Darwin Perennials Product Representative, showcased these exciting additions to our perennial lineup.
Key features of Dream Catcher and Free Spirit Grasses include:
- Strong, sturdy habits that remain upright through challenging weather conditions
- Four-season landscape interest for year-round garden performance
- Low-maintenance growth with excellent heat tolerance
- Attractive foliage colors and ornamental seed heads that provide late-summer into Autumn appeal
These landscape-ready grasses offer growers and designers dependable performance while adding texture, movement and seasonal interest to gardens and commercial landscapes.
Our Perennial Introductions Gain Attention
The Darwin Perennials display also featured several exciting new perennial varieties, including:
Heuchera Everglow Midnight
Heuchera Carnival Lime Zest
Sedum Lemon Sparkle
Attendees were also excited to see the continued success of our Better Versions Echinacea Sombrero® series, which remains a standout choice for growers seeking vibrant color, strong garden performance and reliable retail appeal.
Exploring World-Class Landscape Destinations
While the symposium sessions took place Tuesday through Thursday, attendees had the opportunity to participate in educational tours on Wednesday. The Darwin Perennials team joined the Destination by Design Tour, which highlighted several notable horticultural and landscape destinations throughout Michigan.
The first stop was the renowned Oudolf Gardens in Detroit, a three-acre ecological and artistic public garden designed by Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf. The garden showcases naturalistic plantings and demonstrates the beauty and sustainability of perennial-focused landscape design.
Next, we toured the Dorothy H. Turkel House and Garden, a 1955 Usonian Automatic home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This was a unique house with a whimsical and fascinating garden surrounding it.
Botanical Gardens, Nurseries and Horticultural Inspiration
Lunch was held at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, a destination offering something for every plant enthusiast. Highlights included:
- More than three miles of scenic trails
- Multi-climate conservatories
- An extensive collection of bonsai trees
- Diverse horticultural displays and educational exhibits
The group also visited KC Runciman Landscapes, known for its expansive plant selection, antique garden features, and collection of architectural salvage pieces that provide inspiration for landscape projects. The tour concluded with a special dinner at the Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens, where attendees enjoyed one-of-a-kind plant displays, unique garden collections and opportunities to connect with fellow horticulture professionals.
A Week Dedicated to Perennials
From discovering innovative new perennial varieties to exploring outstanding gardens and landscapes, the 2025 Perennial Plant Association Symposium was an inspiring experience. The Darwin Perennials team was proud to showcase new introductions, strengthen industry relationships, and share a week dedicated to advancing the future of perennials alongside Darren Barshaw, Logan Valk, and fellow perennial enthusiasts.