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…
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
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…
Echinacea purpurea, commonly called purple coneflower, is often recommended for sunny perennial borders because it establishes a substantial root system and…
Sunny borders can lose momentum after the first flush of spring bulbs and early perennials. Baptisia fills that gap with upright stems, pea-shaped flowers and…
Monarda didyma, commonly called scarlet bee balm or bergamot, is valued for its vivid flower heads, aromatic foliage and appeal to bees and other pollinators.…
A well-planted border should look composed after a week of heat, wind and sudden downpours. In Australia, that can mean tropical rain in Brisbane, southerly…
Alchemilla mollis, commonly called lady’s mantle, is valued for its rounded, pleated foliage, frothy lime-green flowers and ability to soften the edges of…
A bird-friendly hedgerow in suburban Chicago needs to do more than create a green boundary. It should offer shelter from wind, nesting cover, insect-rich…
Bare-root divisions offer a practical way to establish quality perennials without paying for a large potted plant. A healthy division can settle quickly,…
Fragrant garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) can change the character of a planting after sunset. During the day, its large flower heads provide colour and…
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.
