Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman’s Pipe) has been chosen as the 2019 Freeman Medal WINNER.

There were 22 submissions for the 2019 award. One panelist noted, “If we are trying to encourage people to pay attention to nature and become in awe of it, this is a good ‘gateway drug’ plant.” The panel agreed that Dutchman’s Pipe is an underused plant. Its role as a host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly “sealed the deal.”

This annual GCA Horticulture Award was established by Judy and Louis Freeman in honor of New Orleans Town Gardener Montine McDaniel Freeman. The award considers native North American plants that deserve wider recognition and distribution. Being awarded a Freeman medal ensures interest and wider planting of the species.