… varieties. Asparagus is a hardy perennial with thick, succulent shoots that are harvested in April to early May, leaving younger shoots for future growth. Asparagus is high in vitamin K and many minerals. It needs to be planted in well-drained soil, with careful selection of the site, considering that it will continue to …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… is one of the most popular ornamental grasses because of its versatility and attractiveness in all seasons. The clumps grow to about 4 feet high and 3 feet wide, but the vertical flower spikes can grow to 6 feet high. The reddish-brown flowers appear in early summer and provide visual interest year round. Although it prefers moderate soils and full sun, it will tolerate light shade and even damp clay soils, but it struggles in hot humid summer climates. The flower spikes are usually retained for winter interest, and the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… produces abundant white berries. Our specimens came to us from the J. C. Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina. The flowers appear from July to September. They are inconspicuous and pale pink. This root-hardy shrub can be planted in partially shaded to full-sun locations that provide constant moisture throughout the growing season. During most winters in the Chicago area, the stems will sustain freeze damage. If they do not leaf out well, they may …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Ruby redosier dogwood is a cultivar introduced in 1988. It was selected for its layering habit, bright red stems and uniform rounded form. Like the species, it bears small white flowers in spring, white fruit in summer beloved by wildlife, red foliage in fall and red stems in winter. Members of the genus …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… trademarked name Lavender Twist™ weeping redbud. This beautiful bloomer offers a lesson in how plants are bred for consumers. This particular cultivar was found as a chance seedling in 1960 along a road in upstate New York by a gentleman who transplanted it to the home of his sister, Connie Covey. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Beautifully shaped, golden-yellow spider mums are produced at the ends of tall stems early in the spider mum season (September to October in Chicago gardens). Tall growing, it will need to be planted near the back of the flower bed and … of flowers. Plant this mum when temperatures are still cool but hard frosts have passed in moderate soils, and stake the rooted cutting early so that it can be trained up the stake …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Hellebores or Lenten roses are prized for their flowers which appear in late winter or early spring and are often the first flowers to appear in the Chicago garden. Grape Galaxy hellebore grows into a low mound about 2 feet tall and 2 feet … is dark green with finger-like clusters which are evergreen throughout the winter except in extremely cold locations. Grape Galaxy bears clusters of two inch five-petaled purple flowers …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Hellebores are prized for their flowers which appear in late winter or early spring and are often the first flowers to appear in the Chicago garden. Apricot Blush hellebore grows into a low mound about eighteen inches high … clusters of up to ten serrated leaves which are evergreen throughout the winter except in extremely cold locations. Apricot Blush bears clusters of two inch five-petaled flowers that …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Iris ‘Before the Storm’ is a Tall Bearded Iris which is near black in color, making it one of the darkest of the dark irises. The flowers are moderate in size, mildly fragrant, and have falls which flare outward. The stems stand 36 inches high with … while resistant to rabbits and deer. Before the Storm was awarded Honorable Mention in 1991, Award of Merit in 1993, the Wister Medal in 1995, and the Dykes Metal in 1996. The Dykes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Delta Dawn Coral Bells is aptly named. A brilliant colorful tropical sunrise does echo in its dark red veined and centered leaves with contrasting gold and chartreuse edging. A … end of the summer, but the chartreuse edging remains consistent. White flowers scapes appear in late spring to early summer adding height and a frothy aspect, but the foliage is the … tall b y 12 inches wide, flowers can increase the height to 24 inches. Would look fantastic in a mixed container planting, front of a shady perennial border or used in partial shade as a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
