The Perennials in Focus committee brings together horticultural professionals from across the green industry to guide the evaluation program. Members represent growers, educators, landscape designers, landscape architects, landscape contractors, retail garden centers, and public gardens, in partnership with College of DuPage.

The Perennials in Focus committee is the driving force behind the evaluation program, bringing together horticultural professionals from every corner of the green industry. Members represent growers, educators, landscape designers, landscape architects, landscape contractors, retail garden centers, and public gardens. This diversity of expertise ensures that the plants being evaluated are considered from multiple perspectives, from propagation and production through to long-term landscape performance. By partnering with College of DuPage, the committee gains access to dedicated trial spaces and institutional resources that support rigorous, repeatable evaluation across multiple growing seasons.

One of the committee's core goals is to identify underused perennials that deserve wider recognition in Chicagoland gardens. The metropolitan region presents unique growing conditions, from clay-heavy soils to temperature swings that test plant hardiness. Committee members draw on their collective field experience to select candidates that show promise for these challenges. The evaluation process examines not only flowering and visual appeal but also traits like winter survival, disease resistance, and overall vigor. These snapshots of performance help consumers, growers, and designers make informed decisions about which perennials will thrive in local landscapes.

The committee meets regularly to review trial data, discuss observations, and refine the evaluation methodology. Each member brings a distinct lens to the conversation, and those differences strengthen the program's credibility. A retail garden center perspective might highlight how a plant behaves in containers, while a public garden representative can speak to long-term maintenance needs in high-traffic settings. This collaborative approach ensures that the program's findings are practical and actionable for a wide range of audiences, from home gardeners to industry professionals seeking reliable choices for their projects.

Beyond the technical aspects of plant evaluation, the committee also serves an important educational mission. Members share their findings through public presentations, garden demonstrations, and written materials that translate complex trial data into accessible guidance. The goal is to demystify perennial selection and empower Chicago-area residents to build more resilient, beautiful gardens. Through this outreach, the committee strengthens connections between the horticultural industry and the community, affirming that well-chosen perennials are among the most sustainable and rewarding investments a gardener can make in the region's distinctive climate.