The Best New Perennials: Trialed & Tested!<\/h2>\n
We\u2019ve all been burned by the hype surrounding a product that didn\u2019t meet our expectations. For gardeners, it\u2019s usually a hot new perennial that bombed\u2014or maybe a rabbit repellent that didn\u2019t curb the fuzzy fiends\u2019 appetites. While a plant\u2019s failure may be complicated, sometimes it\u2019s not the gardener\u2019s fault. I believe rigorous plant trialing takes away some of the mystery about which plants will live up to their promise. As a plant evaluator for over 30 years, failures bum me out too, but thankfully my failures can help all of us make better choices in the end.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Every year the Chicago Botanic Garden evaluation beds<\/a> are packed with hundreds of plants. Most are in a comparative trial of similar types; for example, last year we started evaluating 48 cultivars of hyssop<\/a> (Agastache<\/i> spp. and cvs., Zones 5\u201310), and this spring we added 39 different sedums (Hylotelephium<\/i> spp. and cvs., Zones 3\u20139) to the trials. But each year we also test many new perennials that are not anchored to a major trial\u2014this segment has been growing steadily and currently represents around 20 percent. Most of these new perennials are one of a kind, but sometimes there are a few cultivars of a specific genus that make a mini-comparison possible.<\/p>\n While these individual plants go through the same comprehensive evaluation, they can easily be overshadowed by larger trials and fall between the cracks. Sharing a plant\u2019s success story or failure makes us all better informed when shopping at local garden centers or online. Twenty percent is a big number\u2014almost 200 taxa\u2014so let\u2019s start small by highlighting nine stellar perennials from the past few years that you won\u2019t regret spending money on.<\/p>\n Read More:<\/strong> Behind the Scenes of Plant Evaluation at Chicago Botanic Garden Trials<\/a><\/p>\n Geranium pratense <\/i>\u2018Boom Chocolatta\u2019<\/p>\n We\u2019ve evaluated a dozen cultivars of meadow geranium<\/a> over the years, but \u2018Boom Chocolatta\u2019 blew them all away! Clusters of vibrant blue-purple flowers (1\u00bd inches wide) blanketed the stems from late spring to late summer. The green leaves are a little chocolatey early on, with the bronze overlay fading as first flowers open. The sturdy upright habit held its tight form from spring to fall, too. <\/span><\/p>\n Since this cultivar doesn\u2019t fall apart after flowering like some geraniums, deadheading is a gardener\u2019s choice rather than a necessity. If the floral twigginess is too much, a late summer shearing reveals the deeply cut leaves, which are still healthy and attractive. The name is a bit cringe to me but \u2018Boom Chocolatta\u2019 is a nearly perfect perennial where it counts. Southern gardeners may want to provide shade from afternoon sun for the best performance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Achillea ptarmica <\/i>\u2018Peter Cottontail\u2019<\/p>\n One of our first big comparative trials was yarrows (Achillea <\/i>spp. and cvs.) in 1989. A certain double-flowered sneezewort (A. ptarmica<\/i> \u2018The Pearl\u2019, Zones 3\u20139) was new to me then, but I had all but forgotten about its pom-pom-like flowers until I encountered \u2018Peter Cottontail\u2019 over 30 years later. The bright white double florets of this newbie are clustered in small flower heads, blooming profusely from late spring to late summer. The deep green, lance-shaped leaves are a bit unusual for a yarrow, and the robust habit with sturdy rhizomatous stems looks atypical too. <\/span><\/p>\n Surprisingly, in a garden where late afternoon often feels right out of Watership Down<\/i>, we never saw any bunny damage. However, the irony of naming it after a rabbit was not lost on my friend, who saw \u2018Peter Cottontail\u2019 relentlessly browsed in her garden. We can\u2019t win them all. Lean, well-drained soil is the key to success; heavy clay and moist, rich soil should be avoided at all costs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Nepeta <\/i>\u2018Chartreuse on the Loose\u2019<\/p>\n I stopped talking about catmints<\/a> a few years ago because the subtle differences between many cultivars bored me, so it felt like a hard sell to audiences. \u2018Chartreuse on the Loose\u2019 is the antidote for my ennui. While the bright lavender-blue flowers look much like those of other catmints, the glowing chartreuse and yellow leaves are anything but the same old. The flowering is nonstop from mid-spring until the first hard freeze, ebbing and flowing in the long season as its leaf colors shift in vibrancy.<\/p>\n Like other catmints, there is an ugly stage as the initial blooms fade, when centers open and deadheads are excessive. But as quickly as a cat pouncing on kibble, bright new growth and fresh flowers fill in and it looks like spring again. My only warning is that look-alike seedlings started popping up the first summer, but they are simple to spot and easy to share. \u2018Chartreuse on the Loose\u2019 prefers a little light shade in hotter regions, but watch the water\u2014it likes it on the drier side and therefore is super drought tolerant.<\/p>\n Read More:<\/strong> All About Growing Catmint, Plant Trial Results<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Eutrochium fistulosum <\/i>\u2018JoJo\u2019<\/p>\n I coveted this Joe Pye weed long before I saw it, thanks to a promotional poster from the plant breeders of \u2018JoJo\u2019 that teased me every day for a few years while I waited for it to become available. \u2018JoJo\u2019 Joe Pye weed\u2014just saying that makes me happy\u2014has double pink flowers in generous inflorescences from midsummer to mid-fall. The m\u00e9lange of pale buds and darker pink blossoms is a lovely show for many weeks. At nearly 5 feet tall and wide, \u2018JoJo\u2019 surpassed the expected 3- to 4-foot size that was on its tag, which is fine by me. The flower trusses, with their colossal architecture, form magnificent toppers on the taller stems. Large green leaves are held in whorls on dark purple stems but can be marred by powdery mildew in late summer.<\/p>\n Hollow Joe Pye weed is native to a large swath of the United States and is best grown in soil that does not dry out. To assuage any ecological guilt for growing a native plant that has nothing for pollinators (due to the double flowers)<\/a>, I recommend pairing \u2018JoJo\u2019 with nectar-rich natives such as asters (Symphyotrichum<\/i> spp. and cvs., Zones 4\u20139), beebalms (Monarda<\/i><\/a> spp. and cvs., Zones 3\u20139), and goldenrods (Solidago<\/i> spp. and cvs., Zones 4\u20139).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Monarda <\/i>\u2018Red Velvet\u2019<\/p>\n Beebalms are among my favorite perennials, so there will always be a few in the trials vying for my attention. Right now, that\u2019s \u2018Red Velvet\u2019\u2014the strongest performer in the new UPSCALE\u00ae <\/sup>series. Scores of cherry-red flowers with burgundy bracts cover the plants from early to late summer. Burgundy blushes the aromatic green leaves too. By the second year, the plants really bushed out, a hint of their rhizomatous nature showing. Last year, the beebalms had to recover from a tough winter but still produced a ton of flowering stems, keeping bees and butterflies happy for months.<\/p>\n Powdery mildew has been a minor issue compared to other nearby beebalms. While it is not as tall as some older cultivars, I like that \u2018Red Velvet\u2019 busts out of the downsized trend so common in recent beebalm breeding; no one should have to get on their knees to see beebalm blossoms. \u2018Red Velvet\u2019 tolerates heavier clay but should never be allowed to dry out.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Armeria pseudarmeria<\/i> \u2018Sweet Dreams\u2019<\/p>\n Sometimes a plant\u2019s performance surpasses all expectations. Such is the case of the DREAMERIA\u00ae<\/sup> series of sea thrifts\u2014we trialed several cultivars from 2020\u20132023 with unexpected results. The series is touted as heat tolerant and longer blooming, but I was more concerned with our wet soil and harsh winters. Sea thrifts like dry, freely draining soil, the opposite of our growing conditions at CBG, so success seemed like a long shot.<\/p>\n From the start, \u2018Sweet Dreams\u2019 was a standout cultivar with many globe-shaped heads of lavender-mauve blossoms from early summer to early fall. Sturdy flower stems rose elegantly over the low leafy mounds, which did not hollow out in the centers like most sea thrifts tend to do. Remarkably, \u2018Sweet Dreams\u2019 repeated its first-year success throughout the four years of the trial. We cannot say how long-lived these sea thrifts will be in much wetter gardens, but I\u2019m impressed that a perennial native to the sunny cliffs of Portugal did so well in the damp Midwest.<\/p>\n Stokesia laevis <\/i>\u2018Blue Frills\u2019<\/p>\n In a previous trial of Stokes\u2019 asters, half of the 20 cultivars were replanted two or three times due to poor winter survival. We chalked up the losses to their Southern nativity in the coastal areas between Mississippi and Florida, and to the CBG wet soil, especially in winter. \u2018Blue Frills\u2019 was one of the few to make it through five winters and look good at every turn. The 3-inch-wide, feathery lavender-blue flowers were plentiful from midsummer to mid-fall. <\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m fascinated by the prickly architecture of the leafy phyllaries that sit beneath and protect the buds and blooms. The strap-like, leathery leaves are evergreen in warmer regions and were occasionally so for us in the Midwest. The mounded basal rosettes were beefy with erect flower stems rising above the clumps. Despite a preference for moist, sandy soil in full sun to light shade, \u2018Blue Frills\u2019 was a strong performer in our often moisture-rich clay soil. Deadheading Stokes\u2019 aster is usually recommended to encourage rebloom, but I can attest that no pruners were needed to keep this cultivar blossoming.<\/span><\/p>\n Read More:<\/strong> A Pair of No-Melt Perennials for Heat and Humidity<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Schizachyrium scoparium <\/i>\u2018Sandhill\u2019<\/p>\n Native grasses have seen an explosion of cultivars in recent years, including more bluestem selections than ever before. Brent Horvath\u2014who introduced \u2018Blackhawks\u2019<\/a> and other wonderful big bluestems (Andropogon gerardii,<\/i> Zones 4\u20139)\u2014has turned his attention to its smaller cousin lately. Colorful \u2018Sandhill\u2019 is his new little bluestem featuring powdery blue-green leaves that, together with the stems and fluffy inflorescences, turn lovely autumnal shades of orange and purple.<\/p>\n The tendency toward compact cultivars has touched little bluestems too, but \u2018Sandhill\u2019 bucks the trend, reaching over 4 feet high. And the tall stems are strong enough to stay upright even on windy sites. Little bluestem is native throughout a large swath of North America, so it is quite adaptable to a variety of soil substrates and varying moisture levels. Just be sure to plant \u2018Sandhill\u2019 in full, bright sun for the best habit and color.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sedum <\/i>\u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019 <\/i>(syn. Hylotelephium <\/i>\u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019)<\/p>\n We gave up on tall sedums\u2014especially purple-leaved ones\u2014over 10 years ago. Our wet clay soil was unforgiving to the succulents, resulting in one disastrous failure after another. So naturally, expectations were low when we planted \u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019 in 2022. The first year was just ho-hum, and I expected scraggly plants the next spring, if anything even lived. To my delight, robust mounds of purple-tinged gray leaves emerged that April. By early summer the colors were reversing, becoming deep burgundy with gray-green accents while the stems were growing tall and upright. And, the plants were incredibly bushy!<\/span><\/p>\n Clusters of pink buds in midsummer opened to rosy flowers a few weeks later. <\/span>The seed-bearing carpels age brick red, providing color long after the petals have dropped. This plant holds its deep burgundy leaf color all the way to frost too. \u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019 shows its best leaf color in full sun, so don\u2019t attempt to plant it elsewhere. Note: Tall sedums have been reclassified from Sedum<\/i> to Hylotelephium,<\/i> but the name change has caused confusion and has been slow to take hold.<\/span><\/p>\n Richard Hawke is the director of ornamental plants at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.<\/i><\/p>\n Learn More: Fine Gardening Recommended Products<\/p>\n Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes<\/p>\n Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature\u2014a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated\u2014that can nourish in our cities and suburbs. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors<\/p>\n Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix – Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators – bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides – Don\u2019t plant disappointment – Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. 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\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner<\/p>\n Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n Telescopes from 4 to 7′. Cut and Hold (160) Blades. Drop forged blades for unsurpassed long lasting sharpness. Lightweight, 2.3 lbs., for continued use. Perfectly balanced for easy pruning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Best New Perennials: Trialed & Tested! We\u2019ve all been burned by the hype surrounding a product that didn\u2019t meet our expectations. For gardeners, it\u2019s usually a hot new perennial that bombed\u2014or maybe a rabbit repellent that didn\u2019t curb the fuzzy fiends\u2019 appetites. While a plant\u2019s failure may be complicated, sometimes it\u2019s not the gardener\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7540,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[329],"tags":[2460,1875,120,1412,685,2674],"class_list":{"0":"post-7539","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gardening","8":"tag-botanic","9":"tag-chicago","10":"tag-garden","11":"tag-perennials","12":"tag-plant","13":"tag-trials"},"yoast_head":"\nChicago Botanic Garden plant evaluation trials<\/h3>\n
|<\/span><\/strong> Plant Trial Parameters <\/span><\/strong>|<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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9 Best New Perennials<\/h2>\n
\u2018Boom Chocolatta\u2019 meadow geranium stays neat and tidy, even after flowering<\/h3>\n
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\u2018Peter Cottontail\u2019 sneezewort is an exceptionally long-blooming yarrow<\/h3>\n
![\"Achillea](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103549\/FG228HA-Achillea-ptarmica-Peter-Cottontail-PP31756-0001_ctsy-Walters-Gardens.jpg\")
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\u2018Chartreuse on the Loose\u2019 catmint delivers a gorgeous French country color combo<\/h3>\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103558\/FG228HA-Chartreuse-on-the-Loose-catmint_IMG_9699_DS.jpg\")
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\u2018JoJo\u2019 hollow Joe Pye weed is a gorgeous nativar earning itself a spot on the list of best new perennials<\/h3>\n
![\"JoJo](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103612\/FG228HA-JoJo-hollow-Joe-Pye-weed_IMG_9706_DS.jpg\")
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You can count on \u2018Red Velvet\u2019 beebalm to deliver a strong bloom show no matter what<\/h3>\n
![\"Monarda](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103624\/FG228HA-Monarda-Red-Velvet-PP35800-CPBRAF-0001_ctsy-Walters-Gardens.jpg\")
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40 inches wide<\/li>\nIn a world where most sea thrifts rot in wet winter conditions, \u2018Sweet Dreams\u2019 is a notable exception<\/h3>\n
![\"Dreameria_sweet_dreams](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103600\/FG228HA-dreameria_sweet_dreams_ctsy-Proven-Winners.jpg\")
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\u2018Blue Frills\u2019 Stokes\u2019 aster is tougher than almost all of its siblings<\/h3>\n
![\"Stokesia](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103632\/FG228HA-Stokesia-laevis-Blue-Frills-habit_ctsy-Chicago-Botanic-Garden-e1781189179473.jpg\")
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Sturdy \u2018Sandhill\u2019 little bluestem puts on a vibrant color display in fall<\/h3>\n
![\"Schizachyrium](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103630\/FG228HA-Schizachyrium-Sandhill_ctsy-of-Richard-Hawke.jpg\")
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a range of soil types<\/li>\n\u2018Midnight Velvet\u2019 sedum may be the first-ever purple-leaved cultivar to go the distance in less-than-ideal conditions<\/h3>\n
![\"Midnight](\"https:\/\/images.finegardening.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/11103619\/FG228HA-Midnight-Velvet-sedum_IMG_9679_DS-e1781189277168.jpg\")
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