… winter. It’s not because they are sick or diseased; it’s simply what they do. Larches belong to a special group of plants called deciduous conifers. Like maples and oaks, they produce fall … with their horizontal main branches and gracefully drooping branchlets. Their overall texture is very soft due to the small, slender needles that emerge bright green in spring, turn to a … somewhat, turn yellowish brown and are slightly fuzzy. Because of their size, larches are best used on large properties, parks, or golf courses. They can be used singly as specimens or …
Type: Plant Info
… models anticipate hotter, drier summers in the future. For gardeners, it’s important to monitor moisture levels, especially for new plantings, container plants, and vegetables. As … mulch garden beds immediately after weeding with 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark. This is the best way to help retain soil moisture and keep weeds under control. Take notes and photos to plan for …
Type: Plant Info
… associate conservation genomics scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “It’s really cool to see how there’s a cult-like following for this plant.” The scientist’s mail bins … Eats, the food and drink website, recently wrote an article headlined: “Pawpaws: America’s Best Secret Fruit.” Ohio and other states hold pawpaw festivals. The Inn at Little Washington, a … or they’re no good. That means, the plant has to be grown locally since there’s no good way of shipping them. It’s hard to find pawpaw fruit for sale locally, but a farmers’ market …
Type: Blog
… for a fruiting pepper plant. In just a month or two, the number of varieties will start to dwindle and your hot spicy recipes will taste bland again. Fear not! You can preserve that … contains the following: 2 cups vinegar (white distilled vinegar preserves the pepper colors best) 1¼ teaspoons canning or pickling salt ½ tablespoon of sugar or honey (*may be left out if … will migrate and can really irritate them (and be detrimental to contact lenses). One way to avoid this is to use disposable gloves. Wash your hands thoroughly after removing the …
Type: Blog
… premier kindie bands. Mary and her Impastas have an interactive music show guaranteed to bring dancing, singalongs, instruments, and even a little magic for the kids to enjoy. Mary … connect and engage children with their music and mayhem. Mary was recently voted Chicago’s Best Clown by ChicagoKids.com. In the show, kids get to help Mary Macaroni with magic tricks, shakers, and dancing along to …
Type: Event for Calendar
… New! Looking to grow your best garden yet? Join William Moss for an exciting and informative workshop covering … gardening in the Chicago area. Topics will cover tasks, techniques, and tips from winter to fall as well as basic botany, soil preparation, crop selection, rotation and planning, pest …
Type: Item Detail
… needs soils amended with peat moss and/or treatment of the soil with powdered sulfur to survive long term in our heavy alkaline clay soils. Best grown in light shade and despite the need to keep the root constantly moist, the plant does not tolerate planting in low-lying sites where …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… produces abundant white blooms along its upright branches. The genus Spiraea consists of small to medium sized flowering shrubs with a fine-textured twiggy mounding habit. The small simple leaves are generally lance-shaped and held close to the branch. Spring to early summer abundant blooms tend to be in white or pink tones, … are quite small, they occur in clusters of inflorescence that can be very showy. Spireas are best used in groupings in a shrub or mixed border, where they are valued as tough, reliable and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Description: This colorful duck is usually seen in small flocks on the lakes. It uses its wide, serrated bill to sift food out of the water. It is not a diving duck. If you see what looks like a mallard with … to breed. Shovelers can also be seen in late summer and fall at the Garden lakes on their way to their wintering grounds. An observant birder might even find a shoveler or two in winter …
Type: Birding
… Slender deutzia is a small shrub with thin, arching branches and small, toothed leaves. It grows to only 2 to 4 feet in height and is recommended for use in mass planting, hedges, or shrub … are white on most species, but may be pinkish in a few species and cultivars. Deutzias are best used grouped in informal settings as a hedge or background to a border. These shrubs may …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
