… flower is a curious little yellow-green spike (called a “spadix”). It shoots out at an angle from a stem that looks the same as the leaves. It appears in early summer and may not even be … the northern hemisphere, there are different genetic strains, and with cultivation, strains from Europe have been flourishing in Eastern North America. They can only be distinguished from the natives by the number of veins in the leaves. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… nursery trade but may be used as a specimen conifer in the garden. This fir is differentiated from the species by the conspicuous papery bracts protruding from the cones. It is only found in a few spots in the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia to New Hampshire, and in Quebec. A balled-and-burlapped tree used for a holiday …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Blood-twig dogwood takes its common name from the deep red color of its newer stems in fall; mature stems, however, are gray green. It … multi-season interest--be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark--and their range of forms from small trees to suckering shrubs. The dominant display, however, varies among the species. … disagree. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes almost 100 varieties of dogwood from 20 species (7 of which are native) and over 2,400 plants. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… green, infused with mahogany, and maintain their color throughout the season. It was derived from a seedling of ‘Othello’, selected from a garden in Scotland by James Crawford, and named after his late wife. In late summer, 3- to 4-foot sturdy stems arise from the foliage with large clusters of buds that open into groups of golden-orange, daisy-like …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… a cedary fragrance when crushed. It has many cultivars that suit a variety of landscape uses, from hedge to ground cover to specimen plant. The species can grow 40 to 50 feet in height and has a pyramidal habit. However, the cultivars range in size from 2 feet to almost 50 feet, and their habits are as variable as their sizes--creeping, … rust, which may occur if apple trees are nearby. Strange growths called "telia" dangle from the twigs with gelatinous, orange, finger-like projections. These produce spores which will …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Rusty blackhaw viburnum takes its common name from the soft fuzzy reddish covering on its winter buds. This species is native to the southern U.S. White flowers in May are followed by fruit that goes from green to pink to blue and persists into winter. Fall foliage color is deep burgundy. The EMERALD CHARM™ cultivar was selected from the collection of the Morton Arboretum and is reported to be more upright and vigorous than …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to climates in every part of the world. Ornamental alliums are distinctive plants grown from bulbs, and Rien Poortviet is an attention getter. Easy to grow, it produces mauve balls of flowers atop 35-inch stems from May to June. Plant bulbs in the fall. They prefer full sun, attract butterflies, and are …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… as German garlic, is a tough perennial for the Chicago area with pink or lavender flowers from July through August. The long, strap-like leaves are frequently curved. This species can … well-drained soil. Butterflies, moths, and bees are attracted to the flowers, while the sap from the bruised leaves and bulbs is reported to deter insects and moles. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… for a seasonal burst of color in large containers and flower beds. Pollinators can't stay away from the flowers and songbirds are attracted to the ripe seeds from fall into winter. Sunny conditions promote the greatest number of flowers. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The foliage resembles maple leaves in shape. The flowers are produced in the leaf axils from the bottom to the top of the plant instead of just at the top as in some hibiscus cultivars. The plant stands 4 – 5 feet tall and blooms from mid summer until fall. It is attractive to hummingbirds while resistant to deer. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
