In southern Australia, the weeks leading into winter present a narrow but vital window for pollinating insects. As days shorten and temperatures cool from May…
Evaluating Perennials for Chicagoland Gardens
Perennials in Focus is a plant evaluation program that examines new and underused plants for Chicagoland, the third largest metropolitan area in the country. A group of horticultural experts trials and evaluates plants at numerous locations across the region. Results help consumers, public gardens, growers, landscape designers, breeders, and other industry professionals make informed plant choices.
Blog
Bare-root perennials are often shipped and stored in a dormant state, relying on stored energy reserves to survive until planting. One of the greatest risks…
Underplanting a Japanese maple calls for a careful balance between beauty and restraint. Acer palmatum has a naturally shallow, spreading root system that…
Stokes' aster is becoming a go-to perennial for gardeners wanting reliable summer colour, but leaf spot disease can spoil its display. Two candidates…
Tall perennials bring height, movement and late-season colour to a planting scheme, yet their performance can change dramatically when they are grown beside a…
Monarda, commonly called beebalm or bergamot, has earned a loyal following among Australian gardeners who value its vibrant, shaggy flower heads and ability to…
When the Sydney Harbour breeze softens at dusk or the heat of a Brisbane summer finally breaks, Australian gardens come alive in a different way. The visual…
A thriving perennial border rewards gardeners with months of evolving colour, texture, and movement. In Australia, where autumn starts in March and spring…
Chelone lyonii, commonly known as turtlehead, is a moisture-loving perennial native to the woodlands and wet meadows of eastern North America. The plant…
A steep, sun-baked bank where water races off before plants can drink is one of the hardest spots in any garden. In the Chicagoland region, where winters…
In the Garden
Evaluator gardens are located across the Chicagoland area, representing a range of growing conditions. Visit our retail and wholesale partners to find trialled perennials for your own garden.
Retail & Wholesale: Hinsdale Nurseries (Willowbrook, IL), Mariani Nurseries (Kenosha, WI & Garden Prairie, IL), Northwind Perennials (Burlington, WI), The Growing Place (Aurora, IL).
Wholesale Only: Hinsdale Nurseries (Plano, IL), Intrinsic Perennial Gardens (Hebron, IL).
Our Evaluation Program
The 2017–2020 evaluation cycle included Agastache 'Blue Boa', Allium senescens 'Blue Eddy', Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia 'Georgia Pancake', Astilbe 'Chocolate Shogun', Boltonia astroides 'James Crocket', Brunnera 'Alexander's Great', and Geranium cinereum 'Jolly Jewel Purple'. Completed evaluations include Amsonia 'Blue Ice' (2004–07).
On April 10, 2020, the program published snapshot profiles for Vernonia lettermanii 'Iron Butterfly', Stokesia laevis 'Elf', Stachys officinalis 'Pink Cotton Candy', Lobelia 'Monet Moment', Helleborus 'Winter Thrillers', Geum 'Mai Tai', Geranium soboliferum 'Butterfly Kisses', Gentiana x intermedia 'True Blue', Eurybia divaricata, Asparagus 'Purple Passion', and Agastache 'Bolero'.
Browse the full collection of snapshots organized alphabetically — from A–D, E–H, I–Q, and R–Z — to find detailed performance data on perennials trialled across Chicagoland.
