Plant Evaluation Program
Richard Hawke | Plant Evaluation Manager | February 24, 2017
one|comparative trials
comparative trials|2017
Andropogon (bluestem)
Hydrangea serrata
Asclepias (milkweed)
Lespedeza (bush clover)
Baptisia (blue false indigo)
Molinia (purple moor grass)
Chrysanthemum (hardy mum)
Opuntia (prickly pear)
Coreopsis (tickseed)
Perovskia (Russian sage)
Filipendula (meadow sweet)
Persicaria (smartweed)
Hamamelis (witch hazel)
Potentilla (cinquefoil)
Helenium (sneezeweed)
Rosa (English shrub roses)
Heliopsis (heliopsis)
Salvia (tender sages)
Hibiscus (rose mallow)
Salvia (hardy sages)
Hydrangea paniculata
Schizachyrium (little bluestem)
*new 2017
genera selection criteria

important horticultural/garden genera

genera with significant developments
genera/plants that are not commonly
grown locally




winter hardiness/adaptability
specific disease issues, e.g. powdery
mildew on Phlox and Monarda
joint project with our plant breeder, e.g.
coneflowers, veronicas, baptisias
sun trial garden
two|cooperative evaluation trials

plant introduction programs
two|cooperative evaluation trials


plant introduction programs
nurseries
two|cooperative evaluation trials






plant introduction programs
nurseries
All-America Selections perennials trial
plant breeders
botanical gardens and arboreta
USDA—NC-7 Regional Ornamental Trials
three|green roof trials
green roof with North American native plants
green roof with exotic plants
four|plant exploration program





South Korea
China
Russia
Republic of Georgia
United States
Lychnis fulgens
wild-collected in China in 2007
five|invasive plant trials
Buddleja cultivars
Fallopia|Persicaria|Polygonum
Miscanthus sinensis cultivars
wild-collected exotic taxa
adapting to trends & future projects





perennials as annuals
 Salvia (tender sages)
 Agastache (hyssops)
pollinator study—species vs cultivars
gravel garden trial
targeting specific habitats for plant
collecting to diversify taxa for green roofs
cold hardiness of unreleased Hydrangea
macrophylla cultivars
new shade trial garden opening in 2019
www.chicagobotanic.org/plant_evaluation/