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  • … in, snow piled up, and plants took a seasonal rest. But in northern Illinois, that rhythm is shifting. Winters are warming, shrinking, and becoming less predictable. We still get bitter … ecology of our gardens and wild spaces alike.   What does a vanishing winter look like? Winter is more than a chill in the air. It’s a reliable environmental reset. Dormancy, flowering, migration, hibernation—much of life here is timed around a solid stretch of cold. When that cold period shortens, a warmer fall and spring …
    Type: Blog
  • … entered the United States in packing materials such as wooden crates made out of ash. It is now believed that the emerald ash borer has been in the United States since 1990 or 1991. The … die. The larvae overwinter in the tree and pupate in the spring as the weather warms. Research is currently being conducted to determine if larvae produced by late-emerging adults remain in … will be used to protect 43 key trees — two specimens each of all the primary varieties on site and in those key locations. How to Protect Your Ash Trees Many property managers and …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … can be issues ('Limelight' can top out at 8 feet tall), the news in the panicle category is dwarf stature. Think of Little Lime ™ as a mini 'Limelight'. Topping out at a manageable 3 to 5 feet, it blooms on new wood, as panicles do, and is hardy to USDA Zone 3. Lime in summer, pink in fall, it's a lovely garden shrub. See a nice … ™ , Blushing Bride, and Twist-n-Shout. At the Lavin Evaluation Garden The five-star site to see hydrangeas is in the Lavin Evaluation Garden beds. There, plant evaluation manager …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … stigma of the flowers they visit (anthers are where the pollen grains are picked up; stigma is where they are deposited for successful pollination). Mason bees (Osmia lignaria) carry pollen … Are you avoiding bees because they sting? Another reason to invite mason bees into your yard is that they are nonaggressive. Honeybees and bumblebees may defend their nests if disturbed, so … Male mason bees do not have stingers, and the females only sting if they are trapped, so there is little reason to fear them.        How to Make a Bee Condo Block Give native bees a helping …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Spring is here and with it come wildflowers—trillium, mayapples, and spring beauties. Take a stroll or … and you may see and hear some of the many beautiful songbirds as they migrate north. “It is the knitting together of so many distinct individuals into a harmonious whole greater than the … flowering tree, a fountain, or a special seating area, for example. Determining sight lines is an important, but often overlooked, part of the design process. Here are some other ideas to …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … range of soil types including alkaline soils. A walk around the Garden to view lilacs in bloom is included. The School’s CEUs=3 hours OPC elective Mark Zampardo, Ph.D., horticulture educator …
    Type: Item Detail
  • … cornerstone of a successful garden. The simplest and most effective way to build healthy soils is through the proper use of mulches as a soil amendment. We will go over the benefits of mulch, …
    Type: Item Detail
  • … Observing patterns is central to predicting weather and understanding climate. We will consider the conditions that …
    Type: Item Detail
  • … Grandparents Day is a Love in Bloom pop-up event hosted by the Woman's Board. Grandparents and grandchildren can …
    Type: Event for Calendar
  • … Q:  How do I control Japanese beetles? A:  The best way to control Japanese beetles is to knock them into a jar of soapy water. Allow them to sit overnight in the water and discard …
    Type: Plant Info