Plant Science — OUR SCIENTISTS

Richard G. Hawke

Plant Evaluation Manager

B.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1983

Plant Evaluation Program
Plant Evaluation Notes podcast

PUBLICATIONS
(847) 835-8251

Research Interests

Ornamental plant evaluation
Invasive species testing of wild-collected and ornamental plants
Evaluation of native and cultivated plants for green roofs

Statement

My main research is the comparative evaluation of ornamental plants, predominately herbaceous perennials, to determine the best garden plants for the Upper Midwest and areas with similar climatic conditions. The herbaceous plants under evaluation are grown outdoors in side-by-side trials for a minimum of four years; vines and shrubs are evaluated for a minimum of six years. Plants are monitored regularly to assess their ornamental traits; cultural adaptability to the soil and environmental conditions of the test site; disease and pest problems; and winter injury. Among the 26 genera currently under evaluation are Aconitum (monkshood), Andropogon (bluestem), Athyrium (lady fern), Brunnera (Siberian bugloss), Buddleja (butterfly bush), Calamintha (calamint), Clematis (clematis), Coreopsis (tickseed), Dryopteris (wood fern), Echinacea (coneflower), Eryngium (sea holly), Geum (avens), Hydrangea (hydrangea), Lavandula (lavender), Panicum (switchgrass), Phlox (garden phlox), Ratibida (Mexican hat plant), Rodgersia (rodgersia), Rosa (rose), Sambucus (elderberry), Sedum (stonecrop), Stokesia (Stokes’ aster), Vernonia (ironweed), and Yucca (yucca).

Upon completion of an evaluation trial, the results are published in Plant Evaluation Notes, a Chicago Botanic Garden publication that reports our findings to the green industry and home gardeners. The Plant Evaluation Program received the Award for Program Excellence from the American Public Garden Association in 2008.

In 2009, the Chicago Botanic Garden opened the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, which includes a 16,000-square-foot green roof. The green roof includes display gardens and research plots to evaluate a variety of native and cultivated plants for green roof culture. The plants will be evaluated for four years and sensors on the green roof monitor the temperature of the air and growing medium, moisture levels, ambient light, and the heat transfer rate. Readings automatically are taken every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day every day, to provide real-time, ongoing data about the growing conditions on the green roof.

I am also involved in testing the invasive potential of ornamental plants, specifically Miscanthus (miscanthus) and Persicaria/Polygonum (smartweed). In addition, a project to evaluate a variety of native and cultivated plants for use on green roofs is currently under development.

publications

Hawke, R. 2010. American beauties: Baptisias. The American Gardener 89(2):24-29.

Hawke, R. 2010. Comparative studies of Veronica and Veronicastrum. Plant Evaluation Notes 33.

Hawke, R. 2009. A Comparative study of Platycodon grandiflorus cultivars. Perennial Plants Fall:36-42.

Hawke, R. 2009. A heavy-blooming clematis. Fine Gardening 130:23

Hawke, R. 2009. Platycodon grandiflorus is a good companion to other summer-blooming perennials. NMPro August:53-57.

Hawke, R. 2009. A comparative study of Platycodon grandiflorus cultivars. Plant Evaluation Notes 32.

Hawke, R. 2009. A performance appraisal of hardy bellflowers. Perennial Plants Winter:11-23.

Hawke, R. 2008. A performance appraisal of hardy bellflowers. Plant Evaluation Notes 31.

Hawke, R. 2008. Bold rodgersias. Chicagoland Gardening November/December:12-13.

Hawke, R. 2008. Trial rates shasta daisy cultivars. NMPro May:34-38.

Hawke, R. 2008. 20 great plants worth knowing and growing. Quarterly Northwest 1(2):54-57 & 123.

Hawke, R. 2008. Carefree cranesbills. The American Gardener 87(3):16-21.

Hawke, R. 2008. Flowering perennials for sun, Midwest Regional Report. Fine Gardening May/June(121): 62.

Hawke, R. 2008. A report on Leucanthemum xsuperbum and related daisies, perennial plants. Winter:7-22.

Hawke, R. 2007. A report on Leucanthemum xsuperbum and related daisies. Plant Evaluation Notes 30.

Hawke, R. 2007. Versatile switch grass. Chicagoland Gardening. November/December:10-11.

Hawke, R. 2007. Trial rates catmint cultivars. NMPro November:42-46.

Hawke, R. 2007. Bugbanes: Made for shade. Chicagoland Gardening September/October:16-17.

Hawke, R. 2007. Thalictrum: A study of meadow rue. Perennial Plants Spring:9-21.

Hawke, R. 2007. Lofty balloon flower. Chicagoland Gardening July/Augus:16-17.

Hawke, R. 2007. A comparative study of cultivated catmints. Plant Evaluation Notes 29.

Hawke, R. 2007. Geranium macrorrhizum (Bigroot geranium). Horticulture 104(4):A8.

Hawke, R. 2007. Comparative evaluation of commercially available Tradescantia cultivars. Perennial
Plants Winter:17-25.

Hawke, R. 2007. Spiky speedwells. Chicagoland Gardening May/June:25-25.

Hawke, R. 2007. Lady's mantles are the perfect foil. Chicagoland Gardening March/April:16-17.

Hawke, R. 2007. An evaluation report of meadow rues. Plant Evaluation Notes 28.

Hawke, R. 2007. A tale of two vines. Chicagoland Gardening January/February:11.

Hawke, R. 2006. Hardy euphorbias. Chicagoland Gardening November/December:9.

Hawke, R. 2006. Autumn’s asters. Chicagoland Gardening September/October:15.

Hawke, R. 2006. Shasta daisies brighten midsummer gardens. Chicagoland Gardening July/August:16-17.

Hawke, R. 2006. A kindle of catmints. Chicagoland Gardening May/June:17-18.

Hawke, R. 2006. ‘Gold Heart’ Bleeding heart. Horticulture 103(4):A3.

Hawke, R. 2006. Evaluation of Stachys. Perennial Plants 2:54-62.

Hawke, R. 2006. Extolling the virtues of bellflowers. Chicagoland Gardening March/April:18-19.

Hawke, R. 2006. Proven perennials. Chicagoland Gardening January/February:10.

Hawke, R. 2005. A comparative study of cultivated Stachys. Plant Evaluation Notes 27.

Hawke, R. 2005. A garden study of sundrops and evening primroses. Perennial Plants 3:47-57.

Hawke, R. 2005. The glow of winterberry. Chicagoland Gardening November/December:10-11.

Hawke, R. 2005. Oenothera (sundrops and evening primroses). Chicagoland Gardening
September/October:18-19.

Hawke, R. 2005. Capable coreopsis. Chicagoland Gardening July/August:20-21.

Hawke, R. 2005. Evaluation of Alchemilla mollis. Perennial Plants 2:32-38.

Hawke, R. 2005. Herbaceous clematis. Chicagoland Gardening May/June:26-27.

Hawke, R. 2005. Saruma henryi: A fetching woodland perennial. Fine Gardening May/June 103:18.

Hawke, R. 2005. A Look at Lady’s-mantles. NMPro 21(1):84-86.

Hawke, R. 2005. A wealth of meadow rues. Chicagoland Gardening March/April:20-21.

Hawke, R. 2005. A garden study of sundrops and evening primroses. Plant Evaluation Notes 26.

Hawke, R. 2005. Hot perennials. American Nurseryman 4(201):34-39.

Hawke, R. 2005. Clematis ‘Evisix’: A noteworthy nonvining clematis. Fine Gardening
January-February 101:24.

Hawke, R. 2005. Lamium earns its stripes. Chicagoland Gardening January/February:10.

Hawke, R. 2004. Hardy geraniums for northern gardens. Perennial Plants Fall:7-34.

Hawke, R. 2004. An evaluation study of Alchemilla. Plant Evaluation Notes 24.

Hawke, R. 2004. Summersweet clethra. Chicagoland Gardening November/December:14-15.

Hawke, R. 2004. Plant evaluations at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Proceedings of the 2002 Perennial Plant Association Symposium 25-26.

Hawke, R. 2004. Leucanthemum superbum ‘Becky’: 2003 Perennial Plant of the Year. Proceedings of the 2002 Perennial Plant Association Symposium 27-28.

Hawke, R. 2004. Fall-blooming anemones. Chicagoland Gardening September/October:14-15.

Hawke, R. 2004. Hardy geraniums for northern gardens. Plant Evaluation Notes 22.

Hawke, R. 2004. Blazing stars brighten the midsummer garden. Chicagoland Gardening July/August:13.

Hawke, R. 2004. Echinacea tennesseensis. Field Notes. American Nurseryman 11(199):86.

Hawke, R. 2004. Hardy geraniums. Chicagoland Gardening May/June:20.

Hawke, R. 2004. An evaluation study of coral bells. Perennial Plants Spring:20-32.

Hawke, R. 2004. False indigos test true in perennial beds. Chicagoland Gardening March/April:14.

Hawke, R. 2004. Garden-worthy artemisias. Chicagoland Gardening January/February:12.

Hawke, R. 2003. An evaluation study of coral bells. Plant Evaluation Notes 21.

Hawke, R. 2003. Lamb’s ears and betonies (Stachys). Chicagoland Gardening November/December:14-15.

Hawke, R. 2003. Hardy sages. Chicagoland Gardening September/October:14-15.

Hawke, R. 2003. Garden-worthy artemisias. Perennial Plants Spring:7-19.

Hawke, R. 2003. Monarda for the summer garden. Chicagoland Gardening July/August:16.

Hawke, R. 2003. What color is your yarrow? Chicagoland Gardening May/June:20.

Hawke, R. 2003. Garden-worthy Artemisias. Plant Evaluation Notes 19.

Hawke, R. 2003. Colorful coral bells. Chicagoland Gardening March/April:14.

Hawke, R. 2003. Spring-blooming barrenworts for the shade garden. Chicagoland Gardening
January/February:27.

Hawke, R. 2002. Blue star shines in trials in the Midwest. The American Gardener 81(5):14.

Hawke, R. 2002. An appraisal of Pulmonaria for the garden, part 2. The Pulmonaria Group Newsletter
November:12-14.

Hawke, R. 2002. Plant evaluations at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Perennial Plants Autumn:11-14.

Hawke, R. 2002. Boxwoods for northern gardens. Chicagoland Gardening November/December:12.

Hawke, R. 2002. Hardy amsonia. Perennial Plants Summer:29-41.

Hawke, R. 2002. Pulmonaria. Perennial Plants Spring:33-42.

Hawke, R. 2002. Coneflowers: Anything but ordinary. Chicagoland Gardening September/October:12.

Hawke, R. 2002. A flock of phlox for the garden. Chicagoland Gardening July/August:13.

Hawke, R. 2002. Clematis for northern gardens. Chicagoland Gardening May/June:36.

Hawke, R. 2002. An appraisal of Pulmonaria for the garden, part 1. The Pulmonaria Group Newsletter
March:9-15.

Hawke, R. 2002. Bluestars for northern gardens. Chicagoland Gardening March/April:41.

Hawke, R. 2002. An evaluation study of hardy Amsonia. Plant Evaluation Notes 18.

Hawke, R. 2002. Garden-worthy pulmonarias. Chicagoland Gardening January/February:11.

Hawke, R. 2001. An appraisal of Pulmonaria for the garden. Plant Evaluation Notes 17.

Hawke, R. 2001. Addressing powdery mildew on phlox. Fine Gardening November-December:80-81.

Hawke, R. 2001. Autumn-blooming toad lilies. Chicagoland Gardening November/December:11.

Hawke, R. 2001. Bay laurel. Garden Talk 16(6):2.

Hawke, R. 2001. An evaluation study of Tricyrtis. Plant Evaluation Notes 16.

Hawke, R. 2001. Tops in toad lilies. NMPro September:51-54.

Hawke, R. 2001. Goldenrods. The Gardener 1(3):7.

Hawke, R. 2001. Great goldenrods for the garden. Chicagoland Gardening September/October:35.

Hawke, R. 2001. Which goldenrods rule. NMPro August:59-63.

Hawke, R., and J. Treuhaft. 2001. Chicago Botanic Garden evaluates goldenrod. Plant Propagator 13(2):11-12.

Hawke, R. 2001. An evaluation report of goldenrods for the garden. Perennial Plants Spring:11-24.

Hawke, R. 2001. Grading goldenrods. The American Gardener 80(2):13.

Hawke, R. 2001. Chicago Botanic Garden identifies hardy goldenrod. American Nurseryman 193(4):12.

Ault, J., and R. Hawke. 2000. Breeding and evaluation of perennials at Chicago Botanic Garden. Combined Proceedings International Plant Propagators’ Society 50.

Hawke, R. 2000. An evaluation report of goldenrods for the garden. Plant Evaluation Notes 15.

Hawke, R. 2000. A performance appraisal of hardy sages. Plant Evaluation Notes 14.

Hawke, R. 1999. An evaluation report of selected phlox species and hybrids. Plant Evaluation Notes 13.

Hawke, R. 1999. Clematis: The queen of vines. Flowering Vines. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gardening Series.

Hawke, R. 1998. Monarda and powdery mildew resistance. Plant Evaluation Notes 12.

Hawke, R. 1997. An evaluation report of shrub roses. Plant Evaluation Notes 11.

Hawke, R. 1997. Clematis for northern gardens. Plant Evaluation Notes 10.

Hawke, R. 1997. Climbing to the top. American Nurseryman 186(7):44-67.

Hawke, R. 1997. Pullman evaluation garden symbolizes history. Garden Talk 12(6):6.

Hawke, R. 1996. A performance report of cultivated blazing stars. Plant Evaluation Notes 9.

Hawke, R. 1995. Rudbeckia for cultivated landscapes. Plant Evaluation Notes 8.

Hawke, R. 1994. Boxwoods for northern Midwest landscapes. Plant Evaluation Notes 6.

Hawke, R. 1994. A performance report of cultivated yarrows (Achillea). Plant Evaluation Notes 5.

Hawke, R. 1994. Annual vines. Hybrid. 23(2):4.

Hawke, R. 1993. Hibiscus moscheutos cultivars and horticultural hybrids. Plant Evaluation Notes 4.

Hawke, R. 1992. A bamboo performance report. Plant Evaluation Notes 3.

Hawke, R. 1991. The evaluation and introduction of a unique dwarf river birch. Plant Evaluation Notes 2.

Hawke, R. 1991. Performance appraisal of selected small-leaved rhododendrons. Plant Evaluation Notes 1.