Plant Evaluation Notes

WIth neither serious nor consistent pest problems and a host of shade applications, Lungwort can brighten an area of your yard with a variety of foliage variations and flower colors.

Some of the new cultivars of Tricyrtis have become available only in the last few years from specialty nurseries in Japan and the United States. For a toad lily that really shines, try Tricyrtis formosana and T. hirta ‘Miyazaki’ because of their superior floral displays, robust habits, winter hardiness and disease resistance.

This 5-year study compared ornamental traits, disease and pest resistance, and cultural adaptability of 25 species and garden hybrids of solidago, to determine the best goldenrods for Midwest gardens.

Fifteen easy to grow and pest-resistant perennial Salvia taxa were grown and evaluated at the Chicago Botanic Garden from the 1993 to 1998, to compare ornamental characteristics and to determine the best hardy sages for the Midwest. Find out which of these valuable plants is best for you.

This 3-year comparative study of Phlox find that there are garden phlox that are beautiful in flower and form AND resistant

to powdery mildew. By choosing the right phlox, you will be rewarded with a handsome plant and a long season of bloom.

Beebalms and bergamots are great perennials for meadows and wild gardens, along streams and ponds, in woodlands and

also in the garden border. The long season of color attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds in July and August, and will capture your attention as well.

Modern shrub roses hold the promise of being better plants for today’s landscapes. But which shrub roses are best suited for the gardens of the northern Midwest? This six year evaluation found three English shrub roses and seven Canadian shrub roses to be outstanding for growing in midwestern climes.

Of the 64 original clematis observed in this study, 33 are recommended for Northern landscapes, with nine taxa rated as superior for heavy flower production, high quality blossoms, exceptional ornamental characteristics, vigorous habits, winter hardiness, and disease and pest resistance.

While many blazing stars can be successfully grown locally, not all species are suitable for growing in the Chicago area. This report details which of the 16 taxa grown will work best in your yard.

With a diverse range of species that are easy to grow and well-adapted to a variety of cultural situations, coneflowers endure and provide flowering enjoyment during the two hottest months of summer.