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  • … July ushers in peak summer weather for our USDA cold hardiness zones, with average daily temperature hovers in the mid-70s, making … mulch garden beds immediately after weeding with 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark. This is the best way to help retain soil moisture and keep weeds under control. Take notes and photos to plan … apple trees beginning in July, when apple maggots are laying their eggs. Some gardeners place apple-maggot fly traps that resemble red apples in trees to trap these pests. When the …
    Type: Plant Info
  • …   A. Your hibiscus should be moved indoors well before the first fall frost. Check the plants for insects prior to moving them indoors.  Hibiscus commonly attract whitefly. Do not be alarmed … moving them indoors; this is normal. They will soon produce new growth. Hibiscus overwinter best indoors if provided with bright light and warm temperatures.  Provide consistent moisture, but do not allow the plant to stand in water, which is a good practice for all houseplants. If your plant is growing in its original potting medium, it should be …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Queens Tears is one of the easier of the epiphytic bromeliads for home owners to grow and flower. The pink, chartreuse and royal blue flowers are surrounded by … In the home landscape, provide as much light as possible and add water to the cup once a week. For best results, use rain-water to avoid the leaf scorch associated with fluorinated and/or …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … the fall on perennial plants to 2 feet in height with nicely dissected green leaves. It grows best in full sun with moderate moisture and moderate fertilization. It is avoided by most … from the Latin febrifugia (fever reducer). During the Middle Ages it was also recommended for tonic, digestive, and emmenagogic (menstruation-provoking) properties. Modern medicine has … of feverfew was used to flavor ale before the use of hops was adopted. The native range for feverfew extends from the Balkans to the Caucasus region. Because of its folk-medicine …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … and commonly called Star of Persia, this is another of the large-flowered onions that succeed best in Chicago landscapes if interplanted with low-growing perennials and shrubs that will keep … related. The edible onions sold in the supermarket are all a year old; if held in the garden for a second year, they produce large white flowers, but this comes at the expense of the bulb. … name traces its roots to the Latin allium , a name given to garlic and the Celtic adjective for all things hot. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … 20 and 80 flowers. It is one of the few North American native bulbs that are widely available for gardeners to plant that thrive in moist to wet soils. Free of most insect and disease pests, … dormant during late summer. The genus name Camassia is derived from a Native American name for this group of plants, "quamash." All five species in this genus can be found in North … unless the bulbs are prepared according to a narrow set of guidelines, their flavor is at best tolerable. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … 'Purple Passion' produces red-purple stalks that are sweeter than green varieties. It is best eaten raw, since it loses its purple color when cooked. Asparagus is a hardy perennial with thick, succulent shoots that are harvested in April to early May, leaving younger shoots for future growth. Asparagus is high in vitamin K and many minerals. It needs to be planted in … soil, with careful selection of the site, considering that it will continue to grow for 15 to 20 years. It also makes an attractive perennial, with airy fine-textured foliage. The …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … stalks on each plant. The buds open in series, so a single plant will continue to bloom for 2 weeks or more. It may re-bloom. It is easy to grow and does well in full sun to part shade. … Society awarded 'Pardon Me' Honorable Mention in1984, Donn Fischer Memorial Cup Award in 1985 for best miniature and Award of Merit in 1987. Archived Copy: This content was captured before …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … contrasting scarlet red. The leaf margins are more rounded that most. Although primarily grown for its decorative foliage, a spike of delicate pinkish to creamy white flowers appears in early … Darwin Plants, the official trade name of a Dutch company, Witteman and Co, founded in 1865. For the best foliage color grow in partial shade. It works well as a color accent in containers or …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Pale dogwood is also known as swamp dogwood due to its natural affinity for soggy soil. It is a multi-stemmed shrub that bears small white flowers followed by bluish white fruit. It is best suited to damp, naturalized areas. Members of the genus Cornus , commonly known as dogwoods, are welcome in the home garden for their multi-season interest -- be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant