… It’s rare that a plant's cultivar name makes it into everyday conversation—'Peace' comes to mind for roses, or 'Stella d'Oro' for daylilies. But say "'Annabelle'," and everyone knows … can be issues ('Limelight' can top out at 8 feet tall), the news in the panicle category is dwarf stature. Think of Little Lime ™ as a mini 'Limelight'. Topping out at a manageable 3 to …
Type: Plant Info
… What’s the right kind of mulch? How much do I put down? When’s the best time to mulch? How often do I need to amend the mulch? Is mulch the best weed barrier? Great questions about a basic garden element. Fall is the best …
Type: Blog
… Everyone can use a little privacy in their garden from time to time. After all, a garden is a place to retreat from the outside world, a place to sit and sip coffee, read a book, do some … fast-growing evergreen that can be sheared to keep it in bounds if necessary. These shrubs are best grown in moist, fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. To create a screen, …
Type: Plant Info
… somewhere. Impermeable surfaces such as roofs, sheds, patios, sidewalks, and streets shed rain to surrounding earth and sewers. Although a lawn would seem like a good permeable surface to catch rainwater, grass roots are only 3 to 4 inches deep. When the soil is dry, the water initially runs right off the lawn into adjacent areas. As cities and suburbs … Rain gardens often require less care than other types of perennial beds. There is no need to buy bags of mulch, especially if the perennials are placed closer together when planting. As they …
Type: Plant Info
… Fragmented Landscapes Need Fire to Thrive The Chicago Botanic Garden sets one-quarter of its land on fire every year. These … like ours where fires were natural and many species require fire to survive, burning regularly is critical to the health of our natural areas.” That’s because periodic fires—ignited by … our fragmented landscapes in Illinois, burning the Garden’s natural areas gives them the best chance to thrive with so much working against them,” said Jim Jabcon, prairie ecologist at …
Type: Blog
… Description: The most common year-round woodpecker at the Garden is frequently spotted-especially in the McDonald Woods and Barbara Brown Nature Reserve. Even on … give its whinnylike call in the woods at the Garden. This hardy, adaptable bird is built to get food left by other birds that leave town for the winter. Woodpeckers can go up and down … that long tongue when he's not using it? He wraps it inside his head around his skull. The best “human” example of a woodpecker's tongue wrapped around its skull is a retractable tape …
Type: Birding
… flowers at each node. Plant this bluebeard in full sun and in sandy, well-drained soil for best long-term survival in the Chicago region, where they don’t do well in heavy clay soil in winter. This is a butterfly and bee magnet when in flower from mid-summer through fall. Insect and disease resistant, the fragrant foliage is also a turn-off to rabbits and deer. This cultivar is a classic example of "what’s in a name." Arthur Simmonds …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Repurpose, recycle, reuse. We’ve all heard those terms. Giving new life to old things, whether donating clothing or recycling plastic, prevents them from piling into a … transformed into compost—a rich organic substance—used to improve your soil . Homemade compost is practically free, costing only your time. What is Compost? Compost is simply a pile or … soil that is dark and crumbly, which is why compost is often called black gold. DIY You can buy bagged compost, but making your own is easy and saves money. Composting can be as simple as …
Type: Plant Info
… “Gardening is something you learn by doing—and by making mistakes. Like cooking, gardening is a constant … blue-flowered salvias sent out a last gasp and quickly shriveled after a few days. Sigh. To mollify my misery I realized that I’m helping keep the green industry in business. Whether … pots, window boxes and borders. That should help tamp down the overwhelming feeling of what to buy and where to put it. And, it should help your budget. ( Helpful hint: Never show your credit …
Type: Plant Info
… C-shaped grubs of these beetles feed on the roots of turf grass, causing dead brown patches to appear. Timing & Life Cycle Adult beetles emerge in early July and feed for four to six weeks … to plant tissue. Skeletonized leaves and petals eventually will drop off. The damage, however, is largely aesthetic, and most plants do not die from these attacks. When found in large numbers, … Hand-picking Japanese beetles from plants or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water is the best control. Beetles are attracted to plants where other beetles already are feeding, so …
Type: Plant Info
