… 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
… 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
… 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. … number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- …
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 … War II, Dutch farmers consumed tulips when no other food crops were available, but the flavor is not particularly desirable. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… plenty of fat flower buds. Prune carefully, using proper pruning techniques, taking care not to interfere with the natural shape of the tree or shrub. Branches should be at least 1 foot long, cut when the temperature is above freezing. Lay branches overnight in a bathtub filled with room-temperature water. Make … of deciduous trees and shrubs can be done this month, weather permitting. Heavy pruning is best done in late winter or early spring immediately before bud break. Another time to prune …
Type: Plant Info
… flowers at each node. Plant this bluebeard in full sun and in sandy, well-drained soil for best long-term survival in the Chicago region, where they don’t do well in heavy clay soil in winter. This is a butterfly and bee magnet when in flower from mid-summer through fall. Insect and disease resistant, the fragrant foliage is also a turn-off to rabbits and deer. This cultivar is a classic example of "what’s in a name." Arthur Simmonds …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… magnolia tree population on the edge of fading away. He had discovered the treasure he set out to find. Often, this is where the story ends. But when the prize is an elusive plant sought by … and shrub breeder at the Morton Arboretum , and other local experts who joined them along the way, Bunting assembled a detailed logbook to accompany the physical samples. Magnolia virginiana … timing the seed collection and storing them long term is difficult, so the cuttings are the best approach. Mapping the Journey Bunting is building a ten-year collection plan that he expects …
Type: Blog
… are the features most gardeners request. And yet the gradual, long-lasting autumn leaf change is one of the most beautiful displays in the plant world. It lasts longer than any spring flower … time of year is seeing how plants play off each other; how color combinations shift from year to year; how much beauty is to be found in the subtle combinations as well as the more brilliant … Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) A the hardiest of the Japanese maples and the one that performs best in Chicago gardens. Its distinctive palmate leaves are red-purple in summer but change to …
Type: Plant Info
… greenhouse at the Regenstein Center. Though Ortiz dreamed of following in their footsteps to become a farmer, circumstances led him to forge a different path to honor the land and his … was food for me growing up, and for my ancestors,” Ortiz said. “For many people, this plant is just a weed. To me and my family and ancestors, it was one of our sacred foods and a staple … of his childhood in a small rural village. “As my family was part of the community, I owe my way of living and cultural and ecological understanding to that community.” His reverence for the …
Type: Blog
… Q. What sort of spring care should I provide for my roses? A. April is the appropriate month for some basic and necessary pruning. Pruning not only promotes improved … for good overall plant health. Timing is important. Begin pruning when dormant roses begin to leaf out in the spring. It is best to wait until temperatures moderate and wide fluctuations are not predicted before …
Type: Plant Info
