… sourcing your seeds and plants, our Chicago Botanic Garden experts share their top trends for 2025. Whether you're a green gardener or green-thumbed pro, these hot takes will provide … impact. Lawns demand constant mowing, watering, and fertilizing, but swapping them for low-maintenance alternatives saves energy and effort. Even adding new flowerbeds to reduce lawn size can make a big difference for the environment. For a ‘lawn-like’ look, native plants like Pennsylvania sedge ( Carex …
Type: Blog
… It’s going to be a banner year for annuals. This course presents many new cultivars, along with several wonderful yet underutilized species for both container and in-ground plantings in sun and shade. Focus on what makes each unique and …
Type: Item Detail
… It’s going to be a banner year for annuals. This course presents many new cultivars, along with several wonderful, yet underutilized, species for both container and in-ground plantings in sun and shade. Focus on what makes each unique and …
Type: Item Detail
… Q. Is there anything I can do now to prepare my turf for the winter? A.Fall is a good time to improve the health of your lawn and prepare it for winter. There are a number of cultural practices that will help at this time of year. Clean …
Type: Plant Info
… Are you looking for an easy way to help the planet? Consider composting your food waste. Composting with worms, also known as “vermicomposting,” can be an easy and fun project for your whole family that also teaches children about nature’s cycles. View all parts Tips for Managing Your Worm Bin view part 2 Worm Composting View part 3 Why compost? Reducing the …
Type: Blog
… you can take anywhere! New! Pollen-rich air can irritate the eyes, sinuses, and throat for many. Discover delicious ways to support the immune system with botanical herbs and foods. … can build your body’s resistance to environmental irritants as well as which herbs to reach for when symptoms need to be soothed. Recipes, demonstrations, and discussion are included. This …
Type: Item Detail
… fine, needle-shaped, silver-gray foliage makes it effective both as a contrast plant and for use in silver or white "moon gardens." There is even a white-flowering cultivar, Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba', available for those who prefer the simple elegance of an all-silver garden, or as an even sharper contrast … the flowers have the strongest aroma. The scent also attracts bees, which is an added bonus for any garden. The lavender plant does well in full sun in soil that is dry, well-drained, and …
Type: Plant Info
… lately? Many of these open spaces boast blankets of gold sunflowers, the native plants that for me signal the approach of autumn. They belong to the Asteraceae family (previously known as … cut flowers than they are for attracting pollinators. Some sunflowers were bred to be pollen-free so that the sticky yellow pollen won’t drop from a vase onto furniture or clothing. Bees visit pollen-free sunflowers because they offer nectar, but what they really want is pollen. …
Type: Blog
… Q: What should we consider when choosing shrubs for our home landscape A: The saying “right plant…right place” is essential to keep in mind when … to high demand and supply disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key considerations for shrub selection fall into three categories: Aesthetic considerations relate to the appearance … is monocultures. Too many of the same species concentrated in one location is an invitation for disease and insect pests to raise havoc. Large plantings should be distributed among multiple …
Type: Plant Info
… Q: I'd like to divide and store my Iris plants for the winter. What is the best way to do this? A: Iris plants are best divided after … weather. It is not advisable to remove the rhizomes from the ground and store them indoors for the winter. Iris rhizomes may become soft or develop fungal problems, and will dry out from …
Type: Plant Info
