Tibouchina urvilleana , glory bush, is native to northeastern Brazil and so thrives in the bright sun, heat and humidity of Chicago summers. Royal purple 5” across flowers cover this large shrub with velvety leaves throughout most of the growing season. Will tolerate partial shade but flowers best in full sun and needs moist soils. Insect and disease free, this tough tropical makes a bold …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Vertical vines bring an added dimension to gardens–they soften hardscape, conceal unpleasant structures and provide lushness, through their foliage and flowers, to sites where other plants would find it difficult, if not impossible, to grow. Vines can be used as green screens, filling in the diamond holes of a chain link fence, or they can be the flowering focal point on a backyard trellis, an …
Type: Plant Info
Gardeners know it takes time and effort to cultivate a plant palette that blooms throughout the seasons. Each flower brings so much joy and satisfaction, but the blooms never last as long as you would like. My first urge is to take pictures. But there is another way to preserve this ephemeral beauty: drying flowers. If you’ve walked through the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Visitor Center, you likely …
Type: Blog
Q. I would like to grow herbs indoors this year using some of the plants from my outdoor garden. Any helpful tips would be appreciated. A. Dig the plants you want to save this month and cut back leggy foliage and flower heads. Repot the small plants in a soilless mix and place the herbs in a southern window. They will need at least five hours of direct sun per day. Tiered glass shelves work very …
Type: Plant Info
Q. What is a rain garden? A. A rain garden is a natural or constructed depression intended to mitigate stormwater. The plantings in a rain garden allow water to percolate into the soil, reducing runoff into storm sewers, reducing erosion, and protecting ground water quality. In addition to being attractive, a rain garden generally requires less maintenance than a lawn and provides valuable …
Type: Plant Info
Q. What is the best way to plant a rhododendron? A. When planting rhododendrons, it is important to select a variety that is winter hardy for your plant hardiness zone, based on the USDA plant hardiness zone map. The Chicago region is zoned 5a and 5b. Rhododendrons should be planted in well-drained, acidic soil amended with large amounts of organic matter. A soil pH of 6 or greater, which is very …
Type: Plant Info
Q. The roots of my phalaenopsis orchid are growing over the rim of the pot. Does this mean I need to repot the plant? A. Many varieties of orchids enjoy being slightly potbound. However, if they are overly confined, they might fail to bloom. Choose a pot size that accommodates the size of the plant’s roots rather than one that reflects the size of the foliage and flowers. Signs that indicate it’s …
Type: Plant Info
Q: Do I need more than one variety of pear tree in order for it to produce fruit? A: There are several varieties of pear that are relatively self-fruitful, which means that they will at least partially pollinate themselves from their own flowers or by pollen from another tree of the same variety. Most pear trees are self-unfruitful, which means that they will need to have a different variety of …
Type: Plant Info
Q. When should I plant my tender annual bulbs? A. It is safe to plant your tender bulbs after the average date of the last frost, which is approximately May 15 in the Chicago area. It is important not to work the soil while it is too wet. Soil should crumble when it is squeezed into a ball. If it doesn’t, then it is best to wait until it dries out a bit to avoid ruining the soil’s structure. …
Type: Plant Info
Q. What variety of lavender is the best for planting in our area? I'm especially interested in an intensely fragrant variety. A. Although there are over 28 species of lavender grown today, most are not reliably hardy in the Chicago area due to our cold winters and heavy, wet winter soil. The English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia , and several of its cultivars, however, are worthy additions to …
Type: Plant Info
