A moon garden is a planting designed to be enjoyed after sunset, when white and pale flowers catch low light and fragrance becomes the main event. It need not…
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
The question of how to use perennials to create a windscreen for tender plants in exposed gardens comes down to reducing wind speed without blocking air…
Eupatorium perfoliatum is a tall, North American perennial that has attracted nursery attention under names such as blue mistflower and common boneset. It is…
Solitary bees are independent pollinators that nest in soil, stems and small cavities rather than in a shared hive. Each female gathers pollen and nectar to…
Helianthus salicifolius, the willow-leaved sunflower, and H. microcephalus, the small-headed sunflower, are both imposing perennial members of the daisy…
Evaluating the tolerance of Physostegia virginiana to periodic flooding is not the same as asking whether it can live in a river. Periodic flooding means soil…
Phlox paniculata brings a familiar vertical accent to summer borders. Its branched flower heads carry dozens of blossoms in lavender, lilac and violet. As…
A well-planted perennial border can hold attention through every season. Evergreens, architectural foliage, seed heads and strong stems carry the eye through…
Testing the impact of mulch type on soil moisture for Thalictrum aquilegifolium is a straightforward comparison, but useful conclusions depend on controlling…
A butterfly garden needs more than colourful flowers. Adult butterflies require nectar, while their caterpillars need particular host plants on which to feed…
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.
