Agastache rupestris, commonly called sunset hyssop or licorice mint, is valued for its airy spikes of orange, coral, and rose flowers, aromatic foliage, and…
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
Shady courtyards often need plants that create visual interest without relying on long bloom periods. Ferns are especially useful because their fronds bring…
Finding the best hardy geraniums for preventing weed emergence between stepping stones requires more than choosing a plant with a spreading habit. The space…
Campanula persicifolia, commonly called peach-leaved bellflower, is valued for its upright stems, narrow foliage, and open bell-shaped flowers in shades of…
A small garden can offer a longer, richer display than a larger border when plants are selected for succession rather than for a single peak moment. The aim is…
A garden that stays colorful from June through September does not require constant deadheading. The strongest candidates combine a long succession of flowers…
Helenium autumnale brings late-summer and early-fall color to perennial borders, but its value extends beyond the landscape. Strong stems, warm flower tones,…
Amsonia tabernaemontana, commonly called eastern bluestar, is valued for its clusters of pale blue spring flowers, fine-textured foliage, and strong golden…
Goldenrod is one of the most valuable late-season nectar plants for monarch butterflies in the Midwest. When many summer perennials are finishing, Solidago…
Rain gardens in the Chicagoland area must handle a demanding cycle: intense summer storms, temporary standing water, saturated soil, winter freeze-thaw…
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.
