Richard G. Hawke
Recent Articles
Vernonia spp.
The striking purple flowers of ironwood punch up the late-season garden. Find out which ones ranked best in the Chicago Botanic Garden trials.
Lavenders for the North
Despite their generally tender aspect and the constraints of their cultural requirements, some lavenders grow successfully in northern regions.
Geum spp.
Avens proved to be tough plants that require minimal maintenance, offer a variety of flower forms and colors and should be grown more widely.
Aster adoration
Asters provide a stellar show of late-season color, blending beautifully with other perennials and ornamental grasses.
Tradesatia
With distinctive flowers and strong habits, spiderworts deserve another look.
Veronica spp.
Spiky flowers rise like sentinels in the sunny garden.
<em>Platycodon grandiflorus</em> is a good companion to other summer-blooming perennials
Richard Hawke, plant evaluation manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden, assessed the performance of balloon flower for four years. See which cultivars made the grade.