… A. Determining when tomatoes are ripe can be tricky, especially when we are anxiously waiting to sample the first tomatoes of the season. As a practical matter, the best guides to tomato ripeness, particularly for the heirloom varieties and those hybrids bred … gardener, are color and touch. First, know the ripe color of the specific tomato variety. This is especially important with non-red tomatoes and some heirloom varieties. The former may not …
Type: Plant Info
… than other selections of the P.J.M. grex of rhododendrons. The leaves change from deep green to a mahogany color in late fall and, in a mild winter, will remain on the plants until spring. … commonly sold rhododendrons in the Chicago area. Like other rhododendrons, this cultivar grows best in moisture-retentive, acidic soils in climates with cool summers. Water it well the first couple of years after planting to ensure that the small, fibrous roots growing near the soil surface become well-established. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Dunnett, and James Hitchmough frequently incorporate a diverse array of species indigenous to North America, prompting the question: What do they see that we do not? Reexamine some of the best American native trees, shrubs, perennials, and spring ephemerals. Learn how to integrate these plants into gardens traditionally dominated by nonnative species, creating …
Type: Item Detail
… are a delight for any rose lover. But QUEEN OF SWEDEN™ has two additional characteristics to endear it to gardeners. The flowers are carried upright and the stems have few thorns, making … makes it a good choice for hedges and larger landscaping groups. Rose breeder David Austin is famous for bringing together the shapes and scents of old-fashioned roses with the repeat … good air circulation. Also, all roses, particularly repeat bloomers, are heavy feeders, so for best performance fertilize in spring and again in mid-summer. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Pink twin-leaf squill is one of the tiniest plants grown outdoors at the Chicago Botanic Garden. You will see clusters … species. The unopened buds at the top of the spike are deep pink, and as they open they fade to a soft rosy-pink, with carnation pink anthers. They are best planted in large groups because a single bulb could easily be over-looked. They are fully …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q. When is the best time to harvest sweet corn and how do I do it? A. Sweet corn ears should be picked … and corn kernels that are full at the tips. As harvest time nears, check the corn frequently to ensure you do not miss the milk stage. When the ears are ready, snap them off by hand with a …
Type: Plant Info
… Growing to only 12 inches tall, dwarf lily-of-the-Nile, or Peter Pan agapanthus ( Agapanthus 'Peter Pan'), is a beautiful mini version of traditional agapanthus. From early summer through fall, this … plant, where keeping the plant slightly rootbound improves flowering. Agapanthus blooms best in a spot where it gets full sun and has moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH from 5.1 …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Known to most shade gardeners as coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides brings tropical colors and … which span the color spectrum from yellow and chartreuse to burgundy and purple, coleus is enjoying a revival from its earlier years as a popular Victorian houseplant. The reasons for … Only some are smooth; some are puckered or quilted, inviting a touch. Most coleus performs best in shaded or semi-shaded gardens; the sun-loving varieties should be marked as such. Even …
Type: Plant Info
… premier kindie bands. Mary and her Impastas have an interactive music show guaranteed to bring dancing, singalongs, instruments, and even a little magic for the kids to enjoy. Mary … connect and engage children with their music and mayhem. Mary was recently voted Chicago’s Best Clown by ChicagoKids.com. In the show, kids get to help Mary Macaroni with magic tricks, shakers, and dancing along to …
Type: Event for Calendar
… winter. It’s not because they are sick or diseased; it’s simply what they do. Larches belong to a special group of plants called deciduous conifers. Like maples and oaks, they produce fall … with their horizontal main branches and gracefully drooping branchlets. Their overall texture is very soft due to the small, slender needles that emerge bright green in spring, turn to a … somewhat, turn yellowish brown and are slightly fuzzy. Because of their size, larches are best used on large properties, parks, or golf courses. They can be used singly as specimens or …
Type: Plant Info
