… What does it mean for plants? The temperatures have been slowly dropping and sporadic frost has put the brakes on annuals, blackening their leaves or simply causing entire plants to wilt. Not to worry—there are things we can do to protect trees and shrubs and extend the last … 12 to 16 inches of hardware cloth in the soil about 3 inches away from the trunk. If deer visit your garden, deter them from eating twigs or rubbing antlers by placing snow fencing or …
Type: Plant Info
… Garden , or in other garden byways. Wise gardeners plant this shrub near a path or doorway to enjoy the full effect during the two weeks or so when its small white flowers, opening from … reveals shiny blue berries in autumn. Arrowwood ( Viburnum dentatum ) Most viburnums do best in full sun, but arrowwood ( Viburnum dentatum ) can tolerate part shade. As its common name … feet in a couple of decades, the native blackhaw ( Viburnum prunifolium ) can be trained that way. It has creamy flower clusters in May and pink fruit, eventually ripening to black, that is …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. How and when do I winterize my roses? A. Planning for winter actually starts in early fall. Stop fertilizing your roses in early August and stop deadheading by Labor Day to allow the plant to shut down and set hips (seeds) for winter interest. Remove fallen leaves from the garden. It's best not to cut or prune your roses at this time of year as the cuts will not have sufficient …
Type: Plant Info
… Continue to care for indoor flowering gift plants. Azaleas require even moisture and bright light. Deadhead to keep plants blooming for four to six weeks. Azaleas can go outside to a partly shaded location … bulbs after they have flowered but there is no guarantee they will flower the following year. Get a head start on summer-blooming bulbs and tubers by starting them indoors in moist, soilless …
Type: Plant Info
… Begonia 'Lana', a member of the Begoniaceae family, is referred to as an angel wing cane begonia and is considered a variegated wonder. This grand superba-type cane was developed by Paul Lee in 1973. A tender perennial grown for its colorful flowers and foliage, the plant's angel wing-like leaves appear even more … to no water during the winter. Although it is one of those rare plants that actually blooms best if slightly pot-bound, its roots are perennial, and the plant resents root disturbance …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The Peking cotoneaster is a rounded shrub that grows up to 10 feet high and wide. Its foliage is a dull green. In May and June it produces white flowers with a pink tinge that attract butterflies. These give way to black fruits in the fall and winter that appeal to birds. Fall foliage is red-orange. This …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… in bright light, high humidity, warm temperatures and exceptionally well drained potting media for best results. In summer fertilize with a dilute foliar feed solution weekly. The orchid family … and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most orchids tend to prefer a semi-tropical or tropical environment (USDA …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q. What lawn chores are best done in the fall? A. Fall is the preferred season to tackle turf tasks. Grass will begin to grow quickly again in response to cooler nights, … and give grass a jumpstart to turn green early next spring. September weather is suitable for overseeding an existing lawn, renovating bare spots or laying down sod. Be sure to remove all …
Type: Plant Info
… and visitors alike, the zebra longwing ( Heliconius charitonius ) is native from South America to south Texas and Florida, and occasionally an immigrant can be found as far north as Nebraska! … One very interesting thing about these beauties is that they roost communally in groups of 25 to 30 butterflies. In the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition, they tend to use the same branch night … so it’s a super fun addition to our butterfly family. You’re sure to see some on your next visit to Butterflies & Blooms. Zebra longwings rest together on their favorite branch. A trio of …
Type: Blog
… only visitors at the 385-acre Chicago Botanic Garden —watched the bats hunt on Evening Island for night-flying insects and a little honeysuckle nectar to wash them down. Another side of the Garden emerges after the front gates close for the … less colorful but more dramatic. In the dark, your senses sharpen. You look at blooms in a new way when they are lit by lightning bugs instead of the sun. Photo courtesy of Cathi Fremer You …
Type: Blog
