… in early fall. Stop fertilizing your roses in early August and stop deadheading by Labor Day to allow the plant to shut down and set hips (seeds) for winter interest. Remove fallen leaves from the garden. It's best not to cut or prune your roses at this time of year as the cuts will not have sufficient time to callus over before winter. Roses should be dormant before winter protection is applied. After several days of below freezing temperatures, create a mound of soil, compost, …
Type: Plant Info
… Cardinal's guard ( Pachystachys spicata ) a member of the Acanthaceae family, is native to South America and the greater Caribbean. This ornamental tropical plant bears large … have prominent veins and grow to 12 inches. The shrub will reach 6 feet in height and grows best in a sunny location in fertile, sandy, loamy, well-drained, moderately moist soil, where …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… One of the most nutritious, ornamental and anticipated early spring vegetables is asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis ). This Mediterranean native has just 20 calories a serving, … has changed over the years from skinny, tall, narrow stems (much like the wild type) to the fatter, thicker stems that were popular in the eighteenth century. Close up of asparagus … or border of a vegetable garden. Plants can be male or female, with male plants bearing the best and most flavorful crops. New gardeners might want to choose crowns (or plants) of one of …
Type: Plant Info
… The dark pink buds of Rhododendron yakusimanum ‘Mist Maiden’ open to apple blossom pink and gracefully age to white on an evergreen shrub that rarely grows over 5’ … (felt like hairs) on their undersides that provides interest throughout the year. New growth is covered with silvery hairs that form a striking contrast to the older leaves. Fourteen to … to thrive achieved by planting on well drained sands (old Lake Michigan ridge lines are the best example) or completely replacing the high pH heavy clay soils native to this region with a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The dark pink buds of Rhododendron yakushimanum ‘Mist Maiden’ open to apple blossom pink and gracefully age to white on an evergreen shrub that rarely grows more … (feels like hairs) on their undersides that provides interest throughout the year. New growth is covered with silvery hairs that form a striking contrast to the older leaves. Fourteen to 17 … to thrive, achieved by planting on well-drained sands (old Lake Michigan ridge lines are the best example) or completely replacing the high pH heavy clay soils native to this region with a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Tom Soulsby, the horticultural impresario of roses at the Chicago Botanic Garden, would like to debunk the unfair rumors swirling around the Rosaceae family. “Our goal of presenting plants at the Garden is to disabuse everyone of the myths out there that roses are hard,” says Soulsby, senior … in parts of the Garden,” Soulsby said. Because it is large and fast-growing, it’s best for bigger spaces. It blooms in June and July. Above and Beyond ™ Soulsby is excited about …
Type: Blog
… grew a prairie on my balcony—and how you can, too City spaces may seem limiting when it comes to plants, but even a small balcony can become an oasis. When we moved into our condo, I turned … Spotted beebalm ( Monarda punctata ) Soil Blue vervain ( Verbena hastata ) The Pot Struggle is Real First hurdle: winter. Chicago winters are no joke, and pots are a tough environment for … I couldn’t totally recreate the complexity of prairie soils, but I tried to mimic them the best I could. I used commercial potting mix as a base and tweaked each pot to simulate different …
Type: Blog
… We admit to a weakness for daffodils here—last time we counted, we came up with quite a grand total: more … and unplanted. What makes a miniature? The American Daffodil Society (ADS) refrains from an official definition or separate division for miniatures (although it sanctions a cultivar list ). … smaller flowers each year, according to sun/soil/water/weather conditions—the term "miniature" is a moving target that's hard to standardize. In general, however, the ADS and reputable …
Type: Plant Info
… can sit on the floor, a bookcase, a shelf, a counter, suspended from the ceiling, or attached to a wall. We don’t often think of “decorating” with plants, but it’s an opportunity to use them as displays, whether your style is minimalist, cottage, formal, funky, or vintage. There’s the beauty of a fern with its delicate … you can’t choose a houseplant the same way you choose a bedspread or curtains. Most people who buy plants want to keep them for the long term. If you’ve got the most perfect spot indoors to …
Type: Plant Info
… When you really want to feel the farm-to-fresh-food connection, take a bite of a warm, homegrown tomato. It smells and tastes of sun and soil, acid and sugar, and is one of the most delicious foods in the world. All by itself, it achieves greatness. Of course, … months before you put the small plants outside, usually at the end of May in our area. If you buy small transplants, you'll have to look a little harder to find a good selection of heirlooms. …
Type: Plant Info
