… 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
… Narcissus ‘Kokopelli’ is in Division 7. This is a dwarf cultivar that stands only 5 – 8 inches high. It blooms in mid to late spring with 2 – … that give a rounded look. The petals are bright yellow and may be slightly reflexed. The cup is bowl shaped with a straight mouth. It open with green at the base, but matures to a darker …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Narcissus ‘Petit Four’ is in Division 4. It blooms in mid spring with 4½ inch flowers in which only the cup is doubled. The petals are greenish white with a small point on the tip. The corona is cup shaped, opening light yellow and maturing to a light yellowish pink with a touch of light …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… 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
… 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
… 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
… Cori Mistflower is a cultivar of a native plant of the eastern parts of North America. It is an extremely adaptable plant and will tolerate a range of soils types from sandy to clay, and growing conditions from full sun to part shade as long as the soil is kept relatively moist. Cori Mistflower grows from a rhizome and creeps fairly quickly so it …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… 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
