A Better Way to Think About Perennials

A Different Way to Look at the Garden

Every year, plant breeders introduce new varieties that promise bigger flowers, brighter colors, and more compact habits. We spend a lot of time evaluating those improvements.

But a recent article by a breeder at the Chicago Botanic Garden caught my attention because he was asking some different questions.

Does every new perennial need to be smaller? What happens when we breed for appearance rather than ecological function? And what might we gain by allowing our gardens to be a little less tidy?

Those questions inspired this week’s Growing Guides.