… white at the tip of the cone to deepening shades of pink at the base. The color of the flowers is not affected by the pH of the soil. The blooms first appear in July and will continue into the fall. It does well in full sun to light shade and is moderately drought tolerant. It blooms on new wood, so it is not susceptible to late spring frosts. This is a hybrid of Hydrangea paniculata which is …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… the sometimes oddly branched species form, has a symmetrical, regular, conical shape. It is a male clone, which will not produce the distinctive smelly fruit, and will mature to large, 50' high by 30' wide, tree. The Ginkgo is an ancient deciduous conifer and evidence has been found which shows this tree coexisted with the dinosaurs. Ginkgo is sometimes called the maidenhair tree due to its beautiful fan shaped leaves that resemble a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Rosa 'Europeana', a floribunda rose, is covered with deep red, lightly fragrant double blooms from June through frost. The new growth is a dark burgundy color that matures to deep glossy green. The ultimate height and spread of this rose is 3 feet by 3 feet in the Chicago region. This rose is more tolerant of summer heat than many …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… shelter for a range of insects, small mammals and birds, even bison. Apache Rose switch grass is an upright grass of about four feet in height and about two-three feet in width. Spring foliage is a bluish-green which develops rose-pink leaf tips and panicles in the fall. Like most switch grasses, Apache Rose is extremely versatile and can cope with a range of soil types from sandy to clay and shade …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… shelter for a range of insects, small mammals and birds, even bison. Totem Pole switch grass is an upright grass of about six feet in height and about two to three feet in width. Foliage is a bluish-green which develops golden seeds heads in the fall. Like most switch grasses, Totem Pole is extremely versatile and can cope with a range of soil types from sandy to clay and shade …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Description: The male is bright pink! Seeing a pink bird in an evergreen in winter is quite a sight. The crossbill also has white wing bars and a slightly crossed bill, which … crossbills may be feasting. They always seem to be on the fly, so finding them at the Garden is more difficult than finding siskins and redpolls. This rare member of the finch family has a …
Type: Birding
… Q. My turf grass is in serious need of help. I have far too many bare patches and weeds, and the grass looks too thin. What can I do? A. From mid-August to mid-September is a good time to renovate existing turf. Cultivate those bare patches, and overseed with a grass … with a granular 4-1-2 or 3-1-2 mix. Do not use any weed killers at this time. When turf is in a weakened state, it is better to wait before using strong herbicides. Early next spring, …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. My turf grass is in serious need of help. I have far too many bare patches and weeds, and the grass looks too thin. What can I do? A. From mid-August to mid-September is a good time to renovate existing turf. Cultivate those bare patches, and overseed with a grass … with a granular 4-1-2 or 3-1-2 mix. Do not use any weed killers at this time. When turf is in a weakened state, it is better to wait before using strong herbicides. Early next spring, …
Type: Plant Info
… Glossy abelia ( Abelia grandiflora ) is a small shrub with arching twigs covered in dainty, glossy opposite leaves that are sharply pointed. 'Kaleidoscope' is colorful from April to October, with burgundy twigs and glossy leaves edged with yellow. This cultivar is more compact than the species. An Asian member of the honeysuckle family, this Abelia produces …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… plant. Its flowers, which are tiny and purplish-red, are produced in April. Fall color is quite noteworthy, ranging from yellow to red. Fullmoon maple is a relative of the Japanese maple and has performed well in the harsh climate of northern Illinois. It prefers dappled light in average, evenly moist, well-drained soil. This is a beautiful small specimen tree. Its foliage is finely dissected and matures to emerald green. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
