A Comparative Study of Joe-Pye Weeds and Their Relatives
Over a 12-year period, the Chicago Botanic Garden evaluated 26 taxa of Eutrochium species and related genera with the goal of identifying ou...
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Plant Evaluation Notes
The Chicago Botanic Garden Plant Evaluation Notes (PE Notes) are reviews of recommended plants for gardens in the Upper Midwest, as determined through scientific evaluation over a period of...
Episodes
20 of 37 episodesA Comparative Study of Cultivated Asters
Over our 6-year trial, seven asters received five-star excellent ratings for their overall performance. Top-rated asters displayed consisten...
A Comparative Study of Phlox paniculata Cultivars
From 2001 through 2009, the Chicago Botanic Garden (USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, AHS Plant Heat Zone 5) evaluated 78 Phlox taxa in full-sun trial...
A Comparative Study of Tradescantia Cultivars
Spiderworts may be pegged as common garden plants, but their unique flowers and strong habits mark them as uncommonly good garden plants. A...
Comparative Studies of Veronica and Veronicastrum
Throughout spring and summer the spiky flowers of Veronica rise like sentinels in the sunny garden. Speedwells can be long-lived provided th...
A Comparative Study of Platycodon grandiflorus Cultivars
Balloonflower is a bushy, clump-forming perennial, up to 3 feet tall, with winsome buds and exuberant blossoms in midsummer. In the border o...
A Performance Appraisal of Hardy Bellflowers
The distinctive blossoms of bellflower (Campanula) come in hues of blue and violet, from the deepest purple to softest gray blue. Grown in f...
A Report on Leucanthemum xsuperbum and Related Daisies
Many new cultivars have renewed excitement in the Shasta daisy, including cultivars with frilly double flowers or thin curly petals. Plant i...
A Comparative Study of Cultivated Catmints
Equally wonderful as accents or massed in large groups, catmints are well-suited to perennial borders, herb gardens and rockeries, and can b...
An Evaluation Report of Meadow Rues
The wealth of meadow rues available to gardeners ensures a profusion of pretty blooms from spring into fall. These easy-to-grow plants gener...
A Comparative Study of Cultivated Stachys
Stachys' silvery leaves are perfect foils for plants with hot- or cool-colored blossoms. Conversely, betonies bring a casual formality to th...
A Garden Study of Sundrops and Evening Primroses
Heavy-flowering Oenothera are healthy plants with winter hardiness, giving many of these taxa five-star excellent ratings. Sundrops and even...
Fall-blooming Anemones
One of the most attractive aspects of fall-blooming anemones is their extended bloom period. It is not uncommon for these plants to bloom co...
An Evaluation Study of Alchemilla
With few exceptions, Alchemilla prove to be good garden plants. The similarity of the cultivated species -- minor differences in leaves, flo...
A Comparative Study of Ground Cover Lamium
Uneven moisture regimes can make the placement of plants in the shady garden an all-or-nothing experiment. In these circumstances, a variety...
Hardy Geraniums for Northern Gardens
Hardy geranium is a general term that is used to distinguish Geranium from its tender cousin Pelargonium, the colorful floral or bedding ger...
An Evaluation Study of Coral Bells
Few perennials have exploded onto the scene quite like coral bells, or Heuchera. Breeding has brought a variety of foliage shape and color a...
An Evaluation Report on Barrenworts for the Shade Garden
Barrenworts are tough, long-lived perennials that are an invaluable garden plant for the challenging environment of the Midwest -- their tou...
Garden-Worthy Artemisias
While many artemesias in the study proved unsuitable for northern climes, planting artemisias in lighter soils with sharp drainage may reduc...
An Evaluation Study of Hardy Amsonia
Bluestars prove to be hardy, low-maintenance perennials, giving three seasons of interest in the garden. Clusters of pale blue flowers top t...