A perennial’s value in the landscape does not end when its flowers fade. In Chicagoland, foliage that remains attractive through autumn and winter can provide…
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.
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Steep, sunny slopes are difficult planting sites. Water runs off before it can soak in, exposed soil heats quickly, and winter freeze-thaw cycles can loosen…
Eryngium planum, commonly called blue sea holly, brings a distinctive architectural shape to perennial borders. Its steel-blue flower heads, prickly bracts,…
When queen bumble bees emerge in the Chicagoland region, the landscape can still look dormant. Air temperatures may be cool, trees may be bare, and many…
Flower size is one of the most noticeable qualities in smooth hydrangea, Hydrangea arborescens. Large, rounded flower heads can anchor a perennial border,…
A lawn made entirely of turf grass can demand frequent mowing, edging, watering, and seasonal repair. Replacing some of that grass with well-chosen perennials…
Lavandula angustifolia, commonly called English lavender, is valued for its fragrant foliage, purple flower spikes, and compact form. In the Chicagoland…
Wet summers can reveal differences between black-eyed Susan plants that remain hidden during warm, well-drained growing seasons. Extended rain, heavy dew, and…
A chain-link fence solves a practical boundary problem, but its open structure can leave a yard feeling exposed. Perennial vines soften the metal, add habitat,…
In Chicagoland gardens, a successful perennial border plant must handle more than summer heat. It needs to survive cold winters, fluctuating spring moisture,…
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.
