… tiny soil organisms—all of which evolved with the plants. (One well-known example is the monarch butterfly, which only lays its eggs on milkweed ( Asclepias ) species. The … and attract some butterflies, but most are not native to the United States. However, there is a native woodland sedum, aka wild stonecrop— Sedum ternatum . It is the only sedum species native to central and northern Illinois. A miner bee visits the sedum …
Type: Plant Info
… they offer the home gardener outstanding foliage plus a long bloom time, learning their ways is well worth the time. Most of the 1,500 species and 10,000 begonia hybrids share a few common … during the daytime and no cooler than 60 degrees at night. Water the plants when the soil is dry. Noted begonia expert Tovah Martin revealed that she and her begonias "slowly developed an … plants compact, rounded and, in many cases, suitable for hanging baskets. When the new plant is 6 inches tall, pinch the top growing shoot; lateral shoots will develop in a few weeks. Allow …
Type: Plant Info
… Why Best for the Midwest is Best for the Planet Think twice before you plant those flowers! Are they a native species that … are not left with a monoculture. Much of our research in the Garden and in our Midwest region is studying how habitat degradation, invasive species, and other disturbances change plant and … practices help to combat global warming by reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). How? One way is through limiting the use of lawn equipment. In addition, native plants help to reduce the …
Type: Plant Info
… The most common tree in the Chicago area is from Europe—and that’s bad news for our native plants and animals. Introduced to the United … an area, almost nothing can grow under it. Photos by Jim Steffen and Matt Evans. Why buckthorn is bad for native plants and animals The plants and animals of our native woodlands, wetlands, … hinders the growth of other plants. The chemical can linger in the soil even after buckthorn is removed and can harm frogs and other amphibians. Seeding success – Buckthorn seeds have a high …
Type: Blog
… Key Sweden: The Feast of Juul was an ancient Scandinavian solstice tradition. Peru: Inti Raymi is Quechua for “sun festival,” an Incan tradition celebrated on June 24 just after the Southern … Winter Solstice. Arizona: The Hopi tribe celebrates Soyal on December 21. China: Dongzhi is celebrated between December 21 and 23 based on the celestial calendar. Rome: Ancient Rome’s Saturnalia lasted from December 17 to 24. Iran: Shab-e Yalda is an ancient Persian festival celebrated on December 21. Japan: Toji is celebrated in Japan on …
Type: Blog
… for the winter, they may smother your lawn, especially if it was seeded earlier this fall and is just getting established. If the ground is too soft to push a mower over, carefully rake some of the leaves off the new grass before … leaf mulch reduces soil temperatures in the summer, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. It is a valuable soil amendment and adds a finished look to garden beds. Mulched areas around trees …
Type: Plant Info
… the tray. Use a humidifier in the room. Mist herb plants regularly—except for rosemary, which is prone to mildew. Group similar plants together, so they create their own little micro-climate … are perfect for a container, indoor window `box planter, or a large strawberry pot. The latter is a great way to create an instant indoor herb garden: place rocks or broken pottery pieces in … plenty of light. More experienced indoor gardeners Try growing annual herbs from seed. This is a good strategy for leafier herbs—basil, oregano, cilantro, dill—that germinate and grow …
Type: Plant Info
… The holidays will soon be here and one way to celebrate the season is with a floral arrangement or two. Placed on a kitchen or dining room table, a coffee table, … or four days to as much as two weeks. “If you buy cut flowers, the first thing you should do is strip the bottom leaves off the stems,” says Heidi Joynt of Field & Florist, an instructor at … from the "Field" part of her business with Molly Kobelt. “Building a lush, seasonal tablescape is such a beautiful way to greet your guests,” Joynt said. “It’s the idea of abundance, …
Type: Plant Info
… pastime unless preventive strategies are taken to minimize problems. West Nile virus is a disease that targets primarily birds, horses, and humans. It is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has previously bitten a diseased bird. Most … Department of Health reports that the chance of contracting the disease from a mosquito is very slight, and that less than 1 percent of people who are bitten and contract the virus will …
Type: Plant Info
… What is a daisy? The word daisy often brings to mind an image of a flower composed of flat, white … ) and the English daisy ( Bellis perennis ). Shasta Daisy English Daisy The Shasta daisy is a hybrid developed by Luther Burbank near the white peaks of Mt. Shasta in California. A … Garden settings. The English daisy ( Bellis perennis ) A biennial in the Chicago area and is often seen as a companion plant to spring-flowering bulbs. It prefers a cooler, moist spring …
Type: Plant Info
