Snow Storm™ spiraea gets its name from the abundant clusters of pure white flowers that cover this mounded shrub in late spring. The blue-green leaves turn orange-red in fall. This shrub blooms on new wood so may be pruned in later winter if needed. The genus Spiraea consists of small- to medium-sized flowering shrubs with a fine-textured twiggy mounding habit. The small, simple leaves are …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Meadowsweet spirea is an upright shrub that grows to a maximum height of 4 feet. It requires full sun to partial shade and medium to wet moisture conditions. From June to August it produces showy white flowers that attract butterflies. This native has been extensively planted at the Chicago Botanic Garden and can be found along many of the shorelines. The genus Spiraea consists of small to medium …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Shinyleaf meadowsweet is native to the eastern U.S. It grows into a dense, compact, rounded mound (3’ X 3’). Tiny white flowers that are attractive to butterflies grow in small flattened clusters in late spring on new wood. Spiraea betulifolia is named for the shape of its leaves, which resemble those of the birch genus. The genus Spiraea consists of small to medium sized flowering shrubs with a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Each spring, the arching branches of three-lobed spirea ( Spiraea trilobata ) are adorned by 1½-inch clusters of white flowers. The larvae of some species of butterflies and moths feed upon the leaves. The native range of this species extends from northern Siberia west to Turkistan and south to northern China. The genus Spiraea consists of small- to medium-sized flowering shrubs with a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Grefsheim spirea ( Spiraea × cinerea 'Grefsheim') is one of the earliest blooming spirea and is notable for its refined habit. Its arching branches are covered in small white flowers in the spring. It has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society and is one of the more widely planted spirea at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The genus Spiraea consists of small- to …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium ) produces white, daisy-like flowers from midsummer to late in 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 herbivores because of the chemical constituents in the leaves. The common name is derived from the Latin febrifugia …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
New! Delve into the world of these fascinating insects that appeared on the scene roughly 300 million years ago. They are expert fliers and precise, lethal hunters, often called “mosquito hawks,” consuming 30 to100 of the little pests daily. Discover their life cycle, species found in Illinois, and their habitats. Learn the best equipment and settings to capture images of these insects with …
Type: Item Detail
The American elderberry is an attractive and useful plant whose only vice is the tendency to send out runners and pop up where you didn't plant it. This is a large shrub, 8-10' tall, with branches that start out upright and arch outward. The leaves are compound with usually 7 toothed leaflets. The light brown stems are covered with warty lenticels. The leaves and stems are mildly toxic. Large …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
The American elderberry is an attractive and useful plant whose only vice is the tendency to send out runners and pop up where you didn't plant it. The cultivar 'York' is a compact selection about 6' tall. It is best paired with 'Nova' as a pollinator for better fruiting. The leaves are compound with usually 7 toothed leaflets. The light brown stems are covered with warty lenticels. The leaves …
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 of these dainty bulbs in the Bulb Garden, sending up four-inch spikes of starry pink six-petaled flowers in mid-April. This cultivar has even smaller flowers than the species. The unopened buds at the top of the spike are deep pink, and as they open they fade to a soft rosy-pink, …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
