… important part of the tall grass prairie providing an important food source and winter shelter for a range of insects, small mammals and birds, even bison. Warrior switch grass is an upright … rain gardens, stabilization of eroding banks, and black walnut. Since Warrior is mostly grown for its ornamental value, it is generally retained for its autumn and winter interest. Cut back the foliage to near ground level in late winter. in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The Spartan apple is crunchy and sweet. It is recommended for eating fresh or for juice, but is not a good keeper. This cultivar was developed in 1926 in British Columbia and … garden. Special attention to pollination, disease/pest vigilance, and pruning may be required for the trees to thrive and fruit in the home environment. Although apple fruit trees produce …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Good Earth An elder taught me that mshkeke is the Potawatomi word we use for medicine , but the literal translation is good Earth . There is a family story about how my … plants. These plant relatives have continuously offered their teachings and provide a path for healing for myself and my loved ones. Below are four examples from my own experience; I’m a citizen of …
Type: Blog
… Q. I am looking for some unusual summer-blooming shrubs for my landscape. Do you have some suggestions for hardy and floriferous shrubs? A. You can extend your season of blooming shrubs by adding any …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I have discovered whiteflies on a few of my indoor plants. What’s the best remedy for controlling this pest? A. An advanced infestation of whitefly is very difficult to control. When bringing a new plant into your house in the future, inspect it carefully for any signs of either the flying insect or the black sooty mold that forms on the sticky … help. Placing bright yellow sticky traps (either purchased or made at home) is a good method for catching the adult whiteflies. Some gardeners have had success by spraying plants every two …
Type: Plant Info
… The Summer Dinner Dance is the most important fundraising event for the Chicago Botanic Garden. We believe that beautiful gardens and natural environments are fundamentally important to the mental and physical well-being of all people; now and for generations to come. This year, the Garden presents Bees & Beyond , a program that inspires a genuine appreciation for the vital role pollinators play in our lives and in a healthy, diverse planet. Explore the …
Type: Item Detail
… and features sky-blue flowers that attract butterflies but repel deer. A great perennial for Chicago area gardeners, this plant is tolerant of wet clay soils and blooms from mid-summer … fall. The genus name refers to Eupator, King of Pontus, who used one species as an antidote for poison. Eupatorium coelestinum is another member of the Asteraceae, or sunflower family, that … lacks the typical showy ray flowers (what we refer to as "petals"), but it more than makes up for the loss with very colorful disk flowers. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… reaching about 2 to 3 feet in height and about 1-2 feet in width making it an excellent plant for small gardens and borders. Its purplish-pink flower heads attract butterflies and pollinators in the summer and the seed heads provide food for birds in the winter months if not cut back in the fall. It can cope with clay and wet soils … well-drained soils. It is not generally attractive to deer making it a resilient performer for native and informal gardens. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… These sturdy, stately plants, hybrids of our native rose mallows, are prized for their use as structure in a perennial border. Everything about them is large, from their rich … seed capsules that remain on the plant through winter. Use them as accent plants, focal points for distant viewing, a backdrop for other perennials in the border, and along the water’s edge. Hummingbirds are drawn to this …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… flowers held high above the foliage on long stalks called scapes, they are grown primarily for their foliage and neat habit. Hostas are actively hybridized for leaf color, size, shape, and texture; natural mutations or “sports” are also common; new … Hosta cultivars range in size from several inches to several feet; it may take 3-8 years for hostas to reach their full size. They all prefer moist, loamy soil enriched with organic …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
