A productive winter garden does not finish its work when the last flowers fade. In the Chicagoland region, upright stems and dry seed heads can continue…
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
Road salt can turn a narrow driveway edge into a difficult planting site. Splash from passing vehicles, ploughed snow, salty runoff and winter spray may leave…
Delphinium elatum is valued for its tall flower spires, saturated blue shades and strong vertical shape in a perennial border. Its first flush can transform a…
A broad drift of Geranium maculatum can turn the difficult ground beneath deciduous trees into a calm, seasonal planting. In spring, the foliage forms a fresh…
Stepping stones look more settled when their joints soften into a low carpet of foliage. For Australian gardens, two plants that may be considered for this…
Asarum canadense, commonly called Canadian wild ginger, is a low-growing woodland perennial valued for its broad, kidney-shaped leaves and quiet, ground-level…
Phlox paniculata is valued for its generous summer flowering, upright habit and ability to bring strong colour to mixed borders. Yet a cultivar’s catalogue…
A productive vegetable garden needs more than flowers, compost and regular watering. It also benefits from a living network of predators and parasitoids that…
Newly planted shrub beds often leave wide patches of exposed soil between young plants. Sunlight reaches the ground, rain disturbs loose soil, and wind carries…
In a sunny meadow, the quickest seedling is not always the best long-term performer. Early leaf production, strong roots and rapid canopy development can help…
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.
