… and moderate moisture conditions. It has white blooms that attract butterflies year-round. It is a specimen in a border or an understory and is attractive to birds. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… It has white blooms with a red eye that attract butterflies from July through October and is resistant to deer. It is a specimen in a border. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… about how many talented people collaborate to make Lightscape such a magical event. Lightscape is produced in partnership with Sony Music and creatively produced by Culture Creative. Planning … specialists, and programming and data managers all help bring the installations to life. This is the second year Chicago-based lighting designers Fiskness and Shupe have worked on Lightscape. … practical and artistic aspect to the art form. Q: What do you like best about it? A: Lighting is interesting to me because in many ways it’s supportive. It’s needed literally just to reveal …
Type: Blog
… are safe to walk and drive on, so life doesn't become more challenging than it already is. While personal safety is the primary concern, many homeowners are adopting snow-management practices that also protect … turn can cause salt-sensitive plants to decline or die. Salt levels build when salt-laden snow is shoveled or blown onto plants, and when poor drainage or runoff causes soil concentrations to …
Type: Plant Info
… At the top of the list of why we garden is for the joy it brings. Yes, there is the effort of physical labor, and true, some plants succumb and we don't know why. But most … spot might accommodate rhododendrons, azaleas, or other marginal plants requiring a special site. Examine your soil carefully. This is especially true for new homes, where much of the good …
Type: Plant Info
… spot its vibrant fall beauty on a Chicago Botanic Garden trail, don’t be fooled. Poison ivy is toxic all year round, and you could still get a rash from exposure to it. Like thorns on roses, poison ivy is communicating with us, said Matt Evans, managing ecologist, woodlands. “Poison ivy thrives … best when fewer animals eat and trample it, and it has figured out how to make sure there is less disturbance to it by teaching people, microbes, fungi, and most animals—although deer eat …
Type: Blog
… (sometimes) with friends. But most of all, they love to discover new ones. Gaura lindheimeri is a relative newcomer to Chicago-area perennial borders. Native to Texas and Louisiana and … plant forms a strong taproot that allows it to withstand heat and drought once established. It is also tolerant of humidity and has no known insect or disease problems. Perhaps best of all, it blooms for a long time, from early summer to autumn, especially if the entire flower stem is removed as blossoms fade. There have been some improvements on the original plant as breeders …
Type: Plant Info
… are used whole they can prevent water from penetrating the root zones of plants; therefore, it is important to shred them first. If only a small amount is needed, whole leaves can easily be shredded in a garbage can using a weed whacker. It is always a good idea to wear safety goggles when using a weed whacker. If a larger amount is …
Type: Plant Info
… Chinese ground orchid is a terrestrial orchid that grows from flat pseudobulbs that resemble corms. Each pseudobulb … racemes from March through June on long thin stalks growing 12 to 18 inches tall. Although it is advertised to be hardy to USDA Zone 5, it is best to mulch the plant to protect it and keep it warm in winter. Grow in part-shade areas in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This hardy lady slipper orchid is known for good flower production, even for begining hardy orchid gardeners. A deep maroon red upright flag is flanked by two petals streaked in maroon and cream. The large inflated pouch is predominantly cream with small lines and dots of maroon. Very striking. Plant in full to half …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
