The best plants I grew in 2022 🌿🏆

Welcome to The Impatient Gardener Garden Awards, where, using no specific criteria at all and having no judges other than myself, I pick the best of the best that grew in my garden in 2022.
:01 Intro
:46 Best vegetable: Asian Delite eggplant
2:46 Best annual from seed: Snapdragon Madame Butterfly
4:53 Best potted annual: Salvia Unplugged So Blue
6:38 Best perennial: Salvia Crystal Blue
7:42 Best perennial newcomer: Persicaria 'Orange Field'
9:11 Best shrub: Hydrangea Tiny Tuff Stuff
9:59 Best dahlia: Milena Fleur
11:36 Best grass: Purple love grass
13:02 Best container: The big urn
13:55 Best garden visitors: The fox family
14:42 Plant of the year: Red Abyssinian banana
#gardenawards
My name is Erin and I love sharing inspiration and information with real-life gardeners. I live and garden in southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5b.
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🌿Blog: www.theimpatientgardener.com
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🌿 My favorite potting soil (Organic Mechanics peat-free Container blend): bit.ly/containerblend
🌿 My favorite soil amendment: bit.ly/biocharblend
🌿 Garden products I buy on repeat: liketk.it/3FIyl
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[@jkniederberger5390]

Oh Erin, I needed this. We moved into our house 20 years ago this coming February. We were thrilled to discover in the spring that our neighbors were gardeners (and also the kindest people ever). We have enjoyed many years of sharing plants, sharing bulb orders, and enjoying each other's gardens. Don died of a heart attack in September at only 77 years old, and Janice was moved to memory care two days ago. We are experiencing so much grief right now, and I have been planning the bouquets I will take when I visit her this summer. I will definitely add the snapdragons to my seed orders. Thank you for your videos. You are inspirational and almost always give me a laugh, and I love seeing your animals. Plus, listening to you talk takes me home to Madison. Happy New Year!

[@stephaniestatnick]

I am so sorry for your loss. Good neighbors/friends are such a blessing.

[@jkniederberger5390]

@@stephaniestatnick thank you Stephanie!

[@frasersgirl4383]

So sorry for your loss…..good neighbors are so rare…..it’s a wonderful thing that you’re doing with the bouquets…..💔🌸💕🌸💔

[@naturalroots]

This was by far the best award show. Especially when no one got slapped😊 I'm on the look out for a banana tree next year 🏆 Great segment.❤️

[@michelleh4588]

2 years ago you inspired me to start a dahlia garden... next year I'll have 175 dahlias growing😳😂❤

[@stephaniestatnick]

Oh my goodness!!How fun:)

[@susanskinner8855]

Love your channel - hope Roy Diblik wasn’t feeling snubbed being out won by the fox family in the visitor category !! Happy New Year !!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I think even Roy would understand that he can’t compete with that kind of cuteness. 😀

[@EdensApple80]

This was my first year growing dahlias and I went a bit crazy. Chilsons Pride and Bridezilla were my favorites but the #1 performer was actually this this old shriveled tuber I found from Family Dollar at random! 😂 I plopped it in the ground and figured I had nothing to lose and the plant was so prolific with tons of blooms. ❤🥇

[@sharonperry8978]

My sister gave me a Daphne bush and I planted it in my small garden and it did really well and smelled so nice.

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

Peach Drift roses were unbelievably prolific in a horrible, hot and dry summer in Austin, TX.

[@marycalcasola5206]

What I love about your garden is how natural it looks, very intuitive gardener!

[@ticouna]

I was sure you were going banana for the banana!!! I laughed so much when I saw you digging it out, reminded of myself!!! Looking forward to seeing if you were successful in winterizing it! happy New Year and looking forward to more funny and instructive videos.

[@toniebotting7141]

Love your channel Erin, thank you for sharing your ideas and gardens.

[@lauragalenkamp454]

Erin, thanks for the recap! My favourite plant this year was panicum virgatum ‘northwind’. I found out after I bought it that it’s a Roy Diblik introduction named after his nursery. It provides great all season vertical interest in mid to back of a border and has finely textured blooms that give movement to the garden in the slightest breeze. Tough as nails too. It was knocked to the ground with a heavy snow and after the snow melted it just popped right back up. I am also loving the salvias, ‘Caradonna’ was my favourite this year. Happy New Year 🎉

[@EmilyPorterfield]

I love your videos!! I grow a ton of eggplant. I don't like the traditional large purple ones, and I only grow the smaller skinny ones. I've found I prefer the lighter colored ones. My favorite one is Fairy Tale - white and purple striped. I snack on eggplant all summer and fall, and have it as a side at dinner. Such a low calorie treat. The way I prepare it is: 1 - Slice into coins and lay on a sprayed baking sheet. 2 - Spray the eggplant with a tiny bit of olive oil spray. 3 - Sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt, pepper and Italian seasoning, and a tiny bit of parmesan cheese. 4 - Bake at 425 for 10-15 min until lightly browned on top. I use this method (minus cheese) for many veggies and it's my favorite way to cook all of them, especially okra, squash and eggplant.

[@lisajelle714]

That sounds really good- I’ll have to try it!

[@pamm701]

I LOVE this video! It's just what I needed on this cloudy winter day in Southeast Wisconsin. Thank you!

[@joniwallace1]

Front yard landscaping redo of Boxwood, lollipop blue spruce, switchgrass, My Monet Weigela, RockNRound Popstar Sedum and Cats Pajamas Nepeta. I tried other less saturated flowers, but they got lost against my dark gray house. Loved this combo and learned brighter was better for my front yard. Thanks for all your guidance this year. Cheers to 2023!

[@emkn1479]

Also loving the salvias here, for all the reasons you mentioned. I have some perennial varieties on order from High Country Gardens. I’m hoping they’ll be the permanent solutions in a couple of areas. Can’t wait!

[@rebeccathomas9804]

Great video! Just what I needed to get me motivated for 2023. I hope this comment doesn’t break your heart. I know how you struggle with roses, but I’m down in Alabama. If roses survive Japanese beetles & 100+ temps daily, ALL summer, they do great. Which is odd, seeing as how the deep south was in a record breaking deep freeze all last week (I lost so much in my garden that I’ve literally cried) Anyway, my standout was the David Austin Rose “Olivia Rose Austin” Not only was it stunning but oh my word, the most amazing fragrance!!!

[@gardengatesopen]

I know, right... I'm in the South, too. Even my early leafing Daffodils are mush. The good news on that part of the gardening cold disaster is those same bulbs, with mushy leaves, are now shooting up new leaves!! Woot! WOOT!!! Altho... Bcuz of this extra energy used to build new leaves, they might not flower this year? I mean, I can't get mad at them for that. Afterall - they have now survived the Super Heated Summer with a succession of 113°F for weeks, accompanied with drought, and now, literally freezing their faces off!! So much for those wonderful mild Southern Winters of yesteryear... 😮‍💨 sigh... So, get mad about not flowering, nope, not me! If they've still got the fight of life in them, then I give them a pass for not being able to pony-up the energy to make a flower too! However, with all these weather extremes, I also suspect they believe their world is ending. And so, in true plant fashion, they're contemplating making a seed to carry on their species existence, which of coarse, graces ME with the wonderful flowers! Either way, THIS year, I'm not waiting to fertilize them AFTER the bloom. Nope. This year - I'm feeding them liquid tomato food RIGHT NOW!! They need the boost. I'm just happy to see the leaves of SOMETHING growing in the garden right now!!! 💪 GO DAFFS!!! 💪

[@donnaikin7397]

I have learnt so much from you this year and because of you I have tried so many new things and spent a couple thousand dollars on plants, potting mix, mulch, soil amendments you name it.👏 I hope you have a great new year🎉🎉 and I believe that 2023 will be as great or better than 2022. Thankyou for sharing all your knowledge and experience with us all 🥰👌👍 Keep up the great work... X

[@ShirleyJDavis]

Great video love seeing you all year long.

[@chrisrfan]

I’m so surprised that your Eupertorium polished brass….monarch attracting shrub didn’t get an award! That video/reel you posted earlier this year blew me away, and I added it to my plant wish list!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

It should have been a close runner up in the perennial category for sure.

[@joycelynbell1434]

😅😅😍I knew banana was going to win...that plant makes me smile every time I repeat a video it appeared in

[@karunald]

What rocked my world last summer: Tall Blue Planet Ageratum. Non-stop as soon as it hit the ground. EARLY. Every - single.- day.... till snow

[@joeycainong6873]

Thanks, Erin. You're an inspiration. Salvia and Aegeratum were a big hit for me especially dealing with deer pressure here in upstate NY in the Adirondacks.

[@keradee8742]

That banana plant was incredible! I hope it over winters just as well.

[@debbiemackall6786]

Thanks Erin!

[@rickyt3961]

Thank you!

[@michelletetreault9428]

You are such an inspiration!!!

[@koltonhewlett]

Thank you for a great year of garden education, motivation, and laughs!

[@loriledner6528]

Thank you Erin- great video !!!!

[@5262janna]

You r so much fun!

[@kimbar11]

Loved watching this!

[@Ingrid-pg1gs]

I loved everything about this! Thank you!

[@lorrainecourtney4589]

Thanks for hopping back to summer pic on Dec. 31 , how refreshing 😁 Can't me enough salvia in my garden 😉 That banana was AMAZING 😂😃😄😀

[@marlenegoho1778]

Enjoyable! Thanks, Erin!

[@jennifer-threedogsinagarde8265]

Great video! Happy New Year!

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

Great year for Gardening and sailing!

[@laurieanne9712]

Thanks for taking us with you! Just love your openness & honesty about what you are doing & trying new stuff!!

[@catherinehovey]

Oh the purple love grass! Gorgeous!

[@denisedelgado3350]

Great picks! Happy New Year 🎉

[@melaniefullerton3055]

The banana certainly deserved the grand prize, and your effort to unpot it was award-worthy too. Inspired by you, I grew my first dahlia. ‘Crazy Love’ was growing through its plastic bag and I figured it had a strong will to live. It was a delight and I’m trying to decide which ones to order for next year, along with more salvias.

[@huytruong2542]

Great video. Thanks for giving out all of these great information

[@lisathomason3174]

Happy New Year, Erin! Love your channel and all your garden wisdom 😊

[@juliabinford6500]

I was waiting for the banana’s award for the whole video! It is amazing.

[@ginafriend1690]

Wonderful advice! WOW on your Banana plant!!! Thank you, Erin

[@cathysteele1834]

My favourite new veggie was a patty pan squash! So much production from one plant - combined with other veggies for yummy frittatas and more ❤

[@diannerichard2509]

Happy New Year Erin. Love your awards. I see one or two that I will try to grow this year.

[@dulcieosmonson7804]

Loved this video!! Happy New Year and happy 2023 garden planning!

[@peezee4242]

Great video, Erin! The banana tree ( I can’t call it a plant!) did deserve plant of the year!!

[@seniyeshepherd3050]

Happy New Year Erin! I love watching your videos, see you next year ❤

[@gardeninggrandma5247]

Happy New year! Love your channel and have learned so much! Looking forward to 2023! 😀😀

[@kimirvine6310]

Happy new year Erin . Love your garden , that banana plant was crazy !

[@pamelawilliams7174]

This video was a great idea. Thank you so much for every video you put out.

[@carolmcdill4372]

Thanks! I enjoy your teaching.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Thank you so much Carol!

[@pjgoolesby4584]

Love the foxes. Thanks for your channel!

[@laurieh9388]

Loved my salvia. Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year!

[@juliehorney995]

Oh my word, Proven Winners Playin' the Blues salvia hit a home run in our containers. Full or part sun, they performed equally well. Note to self: only one is needed as a thriller!

[@thecakepopsistars]

Indeed that banana, wow! Happy New Year🎉

[@kristaself126]

I’m so glad you made this video. As always I love your videos. Looking forward to seeing your garden in 2023.

[@stacyk.3402]

Bright Lights cosmos, strawflowers, Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea, Nanking Cherry, Trombocina zucchini, Black Cherry tomato, and I am always wooed by all of my colorful lettuce.

[@trishrobinson1523]

Congratulations banana!!

[@amynelsongreen3243]

Love this, Erin! So much fun to look back at your year in the garden. And those little foxes - swoon! ❤

[@leahness3588]

Amazing plant choices !! I love your garden 💜💙💜💙💜💙❄

[@maryanich3828]

Thanks Erin. Love your enthusiasm over your favorites! I'm working on a small Japanese garden, second year. Getting excited to get out there!

[@joannemurphy7407]

OMigod the baby foxes!!!!

[@sweetlaurelgarden]

Wishing you the happiest of New Years, Erin! 🎉

[@Sunny14136]

Great job, Erin, on all your gardening success!

[@martinlugus7242]

Thanks for all the great videos in 2022 - looking forward following your projects in 2023.

[@deborahwhitmore2422]

The Fox family.....adorable! Your award shows are so helpful. We have had such rainy summers (2 years now), I'm over managing the dinnerplate dahlias. Ordered both of your award winners and looking forward to growing smaller ones this summer.

[@Glory2GodGarden]

Super cute fox family!!!

[@karenbuesing1546]

Great recap. Thanks.

[@judymiddleswart9350]

LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH ERIN THE IMPATIENT GARDNER!!! HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎊

[@TheOrganizedHomemaker]

It was the fox family for me. Enjoyed the additions to your garden this year

[@GlendasTexasGarden]

Happy to see you back, I've been missing you on here. 😊

[@jeannettejohnson2572]

Thank you, Erin…you’re always so informative and so fun…have a great gardening 2023 and keep up the great videos!!😊

[@aalejardin]

Thank you so much for sharing your gardening with us. I don't know how you do it all ("regular" job, household, gardening and videos)! Always great advice and inspiration.

[@Bluemagilla]

So fun to see your awards show. I’m another fan who you’ve inspired to grow more dahlias. Love them in my garden. Looking forward to seeing what you do in the garden 2023. Happy New Year!

[@ericbausman8195]

Great year and great content! I loved the project that you put together for your family’s pool. I nominate that one for Grand Prize 😍

[@pattymiller6696]

Today I started looking back on what I loved and what I didn’t love about last years garden! Perfect day to watch this podcast!

[@beverlystyles7533]

Hi Erin, marigolds and zinnias performed very well for my garden in MD. Loved your award show. Thanks

[@jcking6785]

Love your favorite picks. And the Abyssinian banana is definitely the bomb! I’m trying to figure out where I could plant one next year.

[@lisamorris4232]

Erin, loved watching this uplifting video in gloomy Michigan (we've had 5 mins. of sunshine this year). I have to give my own garden award to native Salvia Azurea which is a true blue flower blossoming in late August through October and gives our precious pollinators food when most flowers are finished for the season! We knew that beautiful banana would get top plant in show!👏👏👏👏

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I love this pick!

[@ruthwuebbeling9584]

Thanks, Erin for this great countdown of your favorite plants. I always look forward to seeing what plants would win the best in class in your garden. That banana plant was amazing! My favorite plant last year was the coffee cup colocasia plant. I know exactly what you mean when you said you got a lot of joy from watching the banana plant grow. That's how I felt about the coffee cup's elephant ear because when it rained the leaves would spill over from the weight of the rainwater and trickle down to the lower leaves, plus the birds would use the large leaves to bathe in. I would highly recommend the coffee cups colocasia planted in a large pot. Good luck with your 2023 garden!

[@musiktouches]

Thank you for all the inspiration this year Erin. I perused your last dahlia video and ordered the Melody Pink Allegro and Milena Fleur because I absolutely LOVED how your garden looked with them. Your pairings were fabulous. I'm excited for 2023 planting and wish you the best!

[@peggyriordan9857]

I took alot of notes and I hope to add some of the winners to my yard this year! Great award show....no goofy dance numbers!

[@juliafiore120]

Good morning, Erin ☕️ I’m excited to see the banana plant this year! I’m hoping it wintered over ok. Happy New Year! 🎆🥳

[@Victoria-pt6ll]

This was awesome! Thank you Erin. You inspire. I have taken leaps as a new gardener and tried new plants, bulbs et to plant because of you. This new year I'm trying seeds (oh I need these snapdragons) and dahlias. And maybe a Banana Plant! Happy New Year!

[@gabyshallenberger74]

That banana plant is amazing, wow!! Well deserved 1st place 🥇

[@deborahbarr8501]

I always enjoy your videos. This inspired me to try some new plants and I might even try a banana plant. Can't wait until spring!

[@tvcat3665]

That banana plant was crazy! 🤪 Who would have thought to grow that. 🍌Yes please try that again, hope it survives in the basement. 🤞🏻

[@shelleymolinaro5866]

Thanks Erin! Your video is a gift to all of us who are taking down the christmas decorations and starting to dream of our gardens in the next year. I gotta say that I for sure thought Roy would have been your most fave garden visitor. But I totally agree with your choice. that Fox family was everything! I am sure Roy won't take offense.😃 Happy New Year Erin to you and Mr much more patient!!!!! And to your big fur babies. I love seeing them in your videos.

[@kariAnnsiehs]

I ordered the snap dragons and the eggplant! Thank you, Erin for this list!! I greatly appreciate having your channel as an educational resource for plants and timing! (I’m local!).

[@asaliden4584]

Happy New Year to you Erin. 🎉❤ My best performer in my oh-so-new garden and nursery was Stock Matilda Yellow and Vintage Brown. A new variety for me, double and perfect as cut flower and in garden beds.

[@beckyscheller9358]

Loved the recap video. Had a eagle visit last winter stayed for several days then moved on.

[@laurawentz2154]

Wow, thanks Erin! I was going through Impatient Gardener withdrawal. Amazing video. My favorite for the year was the many dahlias I grew because of you. I can't believe I grew such pretty flowers. I shared quite a few bouquets with friends and they just keep going strong.

[@terrikim4992]

I bought verbena bone. on your recommendation last year. Love it. Will look for some of these suggested plants. Always think of you when I’m eating a honey nut squash, also your recommendation. Loved the 🦊 🦊 🦊. Happy new year🎉.

[@heatherjung8941]

Happy New Year Erin to you and your loved ones. Great video as always. My favourite plant this year is the Canadian rose Chinook Sunset with a runner up of Heavy metal grass. Loved your fox family but I really loved your sail under the Bridge this year. ❤

[@suewellings4500]

Thanks Erin for all the entertainment, education and fun you gave me this year. You inspired me to grow my first ever dahlia this year which was a huge purple puppy! 2023 will be my year for adding many more to the garden. I left mine outdoors in hopes that it will overwinter, 🤞 Wishing you a very happy new year and happy gardening.

[@kathyszeremet7138]

One of my favorite annuals is Proven Winners Silverberry petunia. Thanks for the review I am definitely going to try the Crystal Blue Salvia.

[@roslynholcomb]

Love the look of the deschampia golden tau. I guess it’ll be my next mission.

[@lindahopkin]

Love your channel your garden is so beautiful, My sweet peas were the champions this year. Happy New Year can't wait to see what you plant in 2023.

[@denisewax5396]

Great video👍 love your channel.

[@slomo1716]

I agree, your banana plant was a showstopper! You turned me on to dahlias, so I ended up with several which bloomed very late in the season and were BEAUTIFUL! Thank you!!!!

[@sueanonymous6332]

Looking out at my dull brown landscape, it's nice to have a reminder of how great everything was looking such a short time ago. Have a happy, healthy and beautifully productive new year!