Perennials in Focus was formed by a group of green industry professionals to evaluate the performance of new or underused perennial plants in the Chicagoland area — the third largest metropolitan area in the country.
Who We Are
The members of this group, in partnership with College of DuPage, represent all areas of the green industry:
- Growers
- Educators
- Landscape designers
- Landscape architects
- Landscape contractors
- Retail garden centers
- Public gardens
How We Evaluate
Plants are evaluated in a regular three-year cycle across various garden and landscape settings throughout the region. Evaluators record data on flower color, bloom period, height, spread, and other attributes. Results are compiled, analyzed, and published as summary profiles called Perennial Snapshots.
Our Purpose
- Evaluate the performance of new and underused perennial plants in Chicagoland conditions
- Communicate results to the green industry and to consumers
- Encourage the availability and use of successful perennials in regional gardens and landscapes