… shelter for a range of insects, small mammals and birds, even bison. Totem Pole switch grass is an upright grass of about six feet in height and about two to three feet in width. Foliage is a bluish-green which develops golden seeds heads in the fall. Like most switch grasses, Totem Pole is extremely versatile and can cope with a range of soil types from sandy to clay and shade …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Rosa 'Europeana', a floribunda rose, is covered with deep red, lightly fragrant double blooms from June through frost. The new growth is a dark burgundy color that matures to deep glossy green. The ultimate height and spread of this rose is 3 feet by 3 feet in the Chicago region. This rose is more tolerant of summer heat than many …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Karl Foerster’s feather reed grass is one of the most popular ornamental grasses because of its versatility and attractiveness in … climates. The flower spikes are usually retained for winter interest, and the entire plant is cut back in late winter to promote new growth. This plant is sterile, so self-seeding is not a problem, and the plant does not spread aggressively, making …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Description: The male is bright pink! Seeing a pink bird in an evergreen in winter is quite a sight. The crossbill also has white wing bars and a slightly crossed bill, which … crossbills may be feasting. They always seem to be on the fly, so finding them at the Garden is more difficult than finding siskins and redpolls. This rare member of the finch family has a …
Type: Birding
… Q. My turf grass is in serious need of help. I have far too many bare patches and weeds, and the grass looks too thin. What can I do? A. From mid-August to mid-September is a good time to renovate existing turf. Cultivate those bare patches, and overseed with a grass … with a granular 4-1-2 or 3-1-2 mix. Do not use any weed killers at this time. When turf is in a weakened state, it is better to wait before using strong herbicides. Early next spring, …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. My turf grass is in serious need of help. I have far too many bare patches and weeds, and the grass looks too thin. What can I do? A. From mid-August to mid-September is a good time to renovate existing turf. Cultivate those bare patches, and overseed with a grass … with a granular 4-1-2 or 3-1-2 mix. Do not use any weed killers at this time. When turf is in a weakened state, it is better to wait before using strong herbicides. Early next spring, …
Type: Plant Info
… Hidcote St. Johnswort is a stoloniferous shrub that grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches and spreads as wide or wider. … in June and early July; however, flowers continue to appear into fall. This woody ground cover is evergreen farther south and semi-evergreen in mild Illinois winters. Renewal- prune in the … and rich green foliage much of the summer create continuing appeal. This first-rate hybrid is best used as a ground cover or in a hedge and is deer resistant. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Iris ‘Blue Temptation’ is an unusually uniform blue with large, classically formed flowers. The beards are gold with … with flowers that bloom in midseason measuring 4 inches across. It has no fragrance, but it is an excellent cut flower and is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds while resistant to rabbits and deer. Blue …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Iris ‘Cache of Gold’ is a soft golden yellow with yellow beards tipped in white. It stands only 11 inches high and blooms in early to mid season. It may rebloom later in the season. This is a Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris which typically has flowers that are less than 4 inches wide. … 2006 Cache of Gold was awarded Honorable Mention and in 2008 it received Award of Merit. Iris is the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow. The classic e‘Fleur de Lys” which has been a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… blue beards. It blooms in very early to mid season with a mild fragrance and may rebloom. This is a standard dwarf bearded iris that stands only 10 inches high with light green sword like … Honorable Mention by the American Iris Society and in 1987 it received the Award of Merit. It is an excellent cut flower and is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds while resistant to rabbits and deer. The classic …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
