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  • … White Gold Japanese spirea is notable for its white flowers atop yellow foliage. The white blooms are highly unusual within the species. The Spiraea japonica species includes the greatest range of cultivars available to the home gardener within the Spiraea genus. They all have a compact mounding habit in sizes … 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
  • … Negrita triumph tulip ( Tulipa 'Negrita') produces deep, plum-purple blooms on 14- to 16-inch stems in the middle of tulip season. Triumph tulips used as annual bulbs can be … due to heavy soils that hold too much water during the dormant season (mid to late summer). Best results at naturalization typically are obtained in gardens with sandy soils, where the … in annual displays. Several dozen species tulips are grown in rock gardens where their need for perfect drainage can be met. During World War II, Dutch farmers consumed tulips when no other …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Q. What accounts for the different autumn color displays in trees and shrubs? A. Certain plants have a built-in … displays. But even with these genes in place, trees and shrubs need ideal weather conditions to show off their best color. Trees should also be healthy, well-watered all season and located in full sun. During …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … A yellow base is veined in pink on this moth orchid that seems to glow in the sunlight. Among the easiest orchids to grow indoors they are tolerant of low light, low humidity and indifferent care. For best results grow in bright light, high humidity, warm temperatures and water 2 to 3 times …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … entranced with the different types of poppies, especially those in containers. Which are best for Chicago? A. Early spring is a fine time to appreciate poppy species, since quite a few are considered cool-season annuals and their seeds …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Brassidium orchids feature spidery-looking flowers that make them ideal specimen plants for indoor use. 'Miami' has up to 30 bright yellow petals and sepals with black spots on a 3-foot-long arching spike. The … growers, bloom up to three times each year with flowers lasting six to eight weeks. They grow best in bright light and should be watered when dry, typically about every five to seven days. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … the new petals unfold. The flowers are large and used in exhibitions. This cultivar was named "Best New Introduction" in the 65th Annual National Chrysanthemum Society show. To make flowers larger, growers will remove the smaller buds so all the plant's energy goes into the remaining buds. The result is a plant with only three to five stems, each topped with a very large flower. This type of chrysanthemum is not reliably …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … carpenter bees have a shiny, hairless abdomen.) It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to a height of 6 feet with arching branches. The plants have narrowly ovate leaves, often with a … In the South, this native of China and Japan is a woody shrub; however, in Illinois, it is best to treat it as a perennial as it may die back during winter. It blooms from July through …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Red Charm peony ( Paeonia ‘Red Charm’) grows up to 2.5 feet high and is covered with  deep-red, ruffled, double flowers from the end of May … hybridized this cultivar near the end of World War II (1944), and the peony went on to win an award from the American Peony Society in 1956. 'Red Charm' is still described as one of the best of the deep-red flowered peonies. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … are produced by the dozens on arching sprays above the short green leaves. This cultivar grows best in bright light, warm temperatures, high humidity, and exceptionally well-drained potting … and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most orchids tend to prefer a semitropical or tropical environment (USDA … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant