… Tree peonies differ from bush peonies in that their woody stems do not die down to the ground in winter. Derived from the Chinese moutan peony more than 1400 years ago, they usually grow to 5’ tall, so are more accurately classified as shrubs than trees. They bloom from April to May, live a long time, and get better with age. Plant them in the fall in partial shade, prune them only occasionally if …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Tree peonies differ from bush peonies in that their woody stems do not die down to the ground in winter. Derived from the Chinese mountain peony over 1400 years ago, they usually grow to 5’ tall, so are more accurately classified as shrubs than trees. They bloom from April to May, live a long time, and get better with age. Plant them in the fall in partial shade, prune them only occasionally if …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… found in swampy sites and stream margins in the eastern US. Scarlett O'Hara is a slow grower to about 6-8 feet high and 6-8 feet wide. After the dark green leaves have fallen, the brilliant red berries are carried on the stems throughout winter, and are a food source for birds in the colder months. It is a female cultivar and requires a male pollinator nearby … is the preferred pollinator for Scarlett O'Hara winterberry. Prune in spring for shape. While best suited to moist sites with morning sun and afternoon shade, it grows well in moderate soils …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… May is the month to look for warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, and some shorebirds, as they migrate through … Oaks and willow trees are particular favorites. The birds need a food supply along the way to fuel their journey. Most of them are insect eaters, and some supplement their diet with … but its song sounds like one. Join me and #birdthepreserves. My top five migration places to visit in the spring are the Chicago Botanic Garden, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (the magic …
Type: Blog
… broad, green leaves with purple undersides. The stems and petioles of this cultivar are known for their deep burgundy color. This species performs best in shade and moist soils with a nice mulch of composted leaves in fall to take it through the winter. In the Chicago region it is insect and disease free. During very …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… branches on a plant maturing at 30” in height. In the Chicago area, this cultivar is best grown in a container (hardy to USDA zone 7) that can be moved into a sheltered location in winter. This use of Azalea or Camellia plant fertilizer will meet this species need for acidic soils and avoid leaf chlorosis. A female cultivar, this plant will only produce …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… rindo gentian ( Gentiana scabra var. buergeri ). This native of Japan and northeast Asia grows best in full sun with moderate soil fertility. Plant this gentian in full sun and in well- drained, neutral-to-acidic soils and maintain a moist soil throughout the growing season. An extract of the roots has been used medicinally in Japan for centuries. A Japanese scroll of Buddhist sutras (Heike Nokyo) created in 1164 C.E. features a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… you through progressively deeper stages of consciousness, integrating body, energy, and mind. For the best experience, have a yoga mat, a blanket, and a pillow ready for the class, all from the comfort of your own home. This class will be taught online via Zoom. …
Type: Item Detail
… a native of Mexico featuring pink tubular flowers at the ends of long arching flowering stems to 8'. Grow in full sun, moderate water and fertilization for best results. Like other members of the Solanaceae (Potatoe family), the leaves, stems, flowers …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This large native shrub in the cashew family spreads by rhizomes and forms colonies. It is best for a naturalistic setting. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
