Wildflower of the Year Selection Procedures

Nomination

Any member of VNPS may nominate a species for consideration.

Selection

All nominations become candidates for selection. The VNPS Board of Directors votes on the candidates, and the species receiving the largest number of votes is selected.

Criteria

  • Must be a plant native to Virginia
  • Must not be an invasive, a pest, or an obnoxious weed
  • Should stimulate interest in membership and among the public because of its attractive, showy, colorful, or unique flower or other attributes
  • Must be interesting because of habitat, historical role, abundance or rarity, ecological niche, or other feature
  • May be either common or rare in Virginia
  • Need not be of horticultural interest, but this could be a “plus”
  • Selected plant ideally should tie in with VNPS emphasis on habitat (e.g., marshlands, rock outcroppings, disturbed areas).
  • The VNPS Botany Chair oversees the selection process and prepares the text for the brochure.

Previous Winners

View all the prior Wildflower of the Year Winners!