… Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Lime’ was originally released for use in cut flower production. Fortunately, bedding plant nurseries have picked up this cultivar for use in the back of the flower bed during the dog days of summer when most other annuals have …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… porch, they encourage soft touches and occasional pinches as herbs and vegetables are checked for perfect picking. Containers satisfy the need to design complete gardens—but in small spaces, … mistakes are forgiven and quickly corrected. They provide uniquely controlled environments for plants with special needs. Garden borders can be revitalized in an instant by moving a … cotta is a popular, medium-priced material, available in all sizes and therefore a good choice for groupings. Its porous clay evaporates water faster than plastic—good for the plants but extra …
Type: Plant Info
… your garden indoors to join a celebration can be as easy as cutting a few evergreen branches for a vase. But if you are a little bit more ambitious about your holiday decor, it's … your project to be fresh and fleeting or dried and long-lasting. "If you go dried, it can last for years if you store it properly," Clifton says. But for a very special occasion, nothing has the impact of a centerpiece tree or kissing ball made …
Type: Plant Info
… in August and September. Later-blooming perennials, annuals, and shrubs can provide color for weeks to come. And many of their blossoms offer nectar to migrating butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds. Here are a dozen good-looking, late-season wonders for your garden. Butterfly bush (Buddleja) Butterfly bush is a magnet for flower-feeding butterflies, bees, and other insects. This woody perennial ranges in size from …
Type: Plant Info
… In the calm and cold of the new year, it's tempting to hibernate and rest up for the tilling and planting to come. But January is prime time for another kind of preparation: learning all you can to make this growing season your best ever. … or spring class or workshop is a better place to start. You can ask questions, get guidance for further research, and meet other people who are interested in the same topic or have the same …
Type: Plant Info
… As gardeners use the winter months for much-needed planning, they might want to consider the delicious bramble and berry plants. … fruit, and 'Heritage' is an everbearing red raspberry with good flavor. Pruning is essential for maximum fruit, and gardeners must know which variety they have before choosing among the … of pruning. Some prune their shrubs to the ground in early spring, sacrificing the summer crop for the sake of one big bumper fall crop. Raspberry bushes send up suckering stems that must be …
Type: Plant Info
… Green roof ecosystems are increasingly used to compensate for the loss of green space and biodiversity in many cities. Their ecosystem services and the … Our results to date show that green roofs are possibly less effective than restored prairies for carbon sequestration because there are fewer aggregates (or crumbs) for carbon storage, and soil microbes appeared to rapidly breakdown any available carbon. In …
Type: Research
… Q. How do I mulch in preparation for the winter? A. There are some things to remember when preparing to mulch for the upcoming winter months. If you mulched in the spring, check to see how much mulch is … Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org for more detailed information. …
Type: Plant Info
… one this autumn. A. Nine cubic feet, in a neat pile or container, is a good, manageable size for a backyard compost heap. Begin the layering process with a few inches of twigs, which allows for air circulation under the pile. Then add 5 to 10 inches of leaves, grass and shredded garden … less often; piles that are heating up quickly should be turned every three or four days. For complete details, order the Plant Facts publication Compost. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What are the current guidelines for planting trees and shrubs in the fall? A. Many trees and shrubs can be quite successfully planted in the fall. The moderate days and cooler night temperatures are ideal for planting. The warm soil and the return of autumnal rains provide good conditions for woody plants to establish their root systems before going dormant. Trees and shrubs that are …
Type: Plant Info
