Annuals

Growing Plants in Containers

Q:  The plants in my containers don’t always grow well. What am I doing wrong?  Can you give me some growing tips?

Plants for fall containers

Q. Do you have any suggestions for plants that can be used in a fall container?

Using Soaker Hoses

Q. I have recently installed a soaker hose system throughout my garden. How long do I let the water run in order to water adequately?

Preventing Powdery Mildew on Phlox

 

Q. What can I do to prevent powdery mildew from attacking my phlox and zinnias?

Poppies

 

Q. Every spring I become entranced with the different types of poppies, especially those in containers. Which are best for Chicago?

A. Early spring is a fine time to appreciate poppy species, since quite a few are considered cool-season annuals and their seeds can be directly sown into the ground or the tiny transplants can be carefully moved to a container or garden bed (poppies’ taproots resent frequent disturbance). 

Overwintering Geraniums

Q. What is the recommended procedure for overwintering annual geranium plants?

A. There are several procedures gardeners use to overwinter unusual or hand-to-find Pelargonium cultivars. Not all methods have the same success rate. During winter, Pelargonium plants appreciate cool conditions with a 10-degree difference in night temperatures.

Preventing Self-seeding in Fennel

Q. I grow bronze fennel as an ornamental plant in my flower garden. How can I prevent the excessive self-seeding that occurs over the winter?

A. The umbels containing the many seeds ripen in late fall. If you are not harvesting these seeds for culinary or herbal uses, remove the flower heads from the stalks in early fall or late summer.

Evening Primrose

Q. Why doesn't my evening primrose bloom?

A. All evening primroses (Oenothera) require good drainage and at least six hours of full direct sun per day. Evening primroses that are planted too closely together may also fail to bloom properly; therefore, it will be necessary to divide the plants.

Edible Flowers

Q. I am fascinated by the use of flowers in preparing certain food dishes. Are there some basic guidelines to follow when choosing the flowers?

Watering During a Drought

Q: Please advise on watering techniques during a drought.

Winter Care for Dahlia Tubers

Q. I added quite a few dahlias to my garden this year and they bloomed beautifully. Please advise on winter care.

Caring for Container Plants

Q. What is the best way to take care of plants growing in containers?

Overwintering Coleus Plants

Q: How can I overwinter coleus plants so I don’t have to buy new ones each spring?

A: The easiest method is to pot up stem cuttings. Most growers and home gardeners use this method in late fall to overwinter coleus plants or in early spring to increase their stock of hard-to-find cultivars.

Butterfly gardens

Q: My children and I want to plant a butterfly garden. Can you suggest flowers that will attract butterflies?

Anemone

Q. I am looking for a colorful companion to some early-spring flowering bulbs. A friend suggested the low-growing anemone.