Plant Breeding

The goal of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Plant Breeding Program, which was formally established in 1996, is to develop new ornamental plants for landscape and garden use in the Midwest and other regions with similar climates.

Through traditional methods of plant breeding and using laboratory facilities for plant tissue culture and microscopy, the program combines the superior ornamental traits from commercially developed plant varieties with traits for adaptability and vigor from plants collected in the wild.

The Garden's program is developing new ornamental plants with these qualities:

• improved hardiness
• better flowers and fruit
• greater pest resistance
• better adaptability to local soils and climate
• greater ability to withstand moisture variations

Plants from the breeding program that exhibit potential for commercial introduction will be reviewed by the Garden’s Plant Evaluation Program. Those plants that get the highest marks will be introduced to the horticultural trade and home gardeners through the Garden’s Plant Introduction Program, Chicagoland Grows, Inc.

Currently, nearly 20,000 plants are being studied. These include both perennials and shrubs.

• Perennial Breeding
• Shrub Breeding


Ornamental Plant Development home page
Perennial Plant Breeding
Dieback Shrub Breeding
Plant Breeding Staff & Publications
Internship Opportunity