Plant Introductions

Chicagoland Grows is a partnership between The Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois (OGA). The partners evaluate, produce, and market new and recommended trees and shrubs with proven performance under Northern Illinois growing conditions. These new trees and shrubs are bred for their ornamental qualities as well as for their hardiness and resistance to diseases.

Nine new varieties of trees and six new shrubs have been introduced by The Morton Arboretum through Chicagoland Grows. The total 33 cultivars currently in circulation through this program are selected from production nurseries as well as from the collections and breeding programs of The Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden.

Before a plant can be introduced, it has been evaluated under a variety of landscape and nursery conditions for up to 10 years. Once approved, these plants may be produced under license for open market sales. Chicagoland Grows plants are sold through wholesale and retail nurseries and garden centers throughout the United States. Support Chicagoland Grows, and buy our plants at a retail nursery or garden center near you.