… 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
… Q. When is the best time of the year to spray my garden for insects? A. Before you consider using any pesticide in your garden, you must first determine … harm. Many insects found in our gardens are beneficial. Beneficial insects are important for many different reasons. Some are predators and perform natural pest control. Others are … it may not be necessary to apply an insecticide, especially if the insect will only be present for a short time during its life cycle. Applying chemical pesticides will not only kill the …
Type: Plant Info
… I received a gardenia plant as a gift. How do I care for it? You can successfully grow a gardenia ( Gardenia jasminoides ) indoors as a houseplant. However, it takes specific cultural care to trigger bud formation. For flower buds to form, the plant needs to be subjected to night temperatures of 60–65 degrees … soil. Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or plantinfo@chicabotanic.org for more detailed information. …
Type: Plant Info
… Members of the genus Amsonia are commonly known as bluestars for the abundant small blue flowers borne in clusters at the stem tips in late spring or early … and more than 3,5000 individual plants. A number of these varieties have been evaluated for their performance in our region; Plant Evaluation Notes can be found on the Garden's website. The genus was named for Dr. Charles Amson, an 18th century American colonist. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Members of the genus Amsonia are commonly known as bluestars for the abundant small blue flowers borne in clusters at the stem tips in late spring or early … and more than 3,5000 individual plants. A number of these varieties have been evaluated for their performance in our region; Plant Evaluation Notes can be found on the Garden's website. The genus was named for Dr. Charles Amson, an 18th century American colonist. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Members of the genus Amsonia are commonly known as bluestars for the abundant small blue flowers borne in clusters at the stem tips in late spring or early … and more than 3,5000 individual plants. A number of these varieties have been evaluated for their performance in our region; Plant Evaluation Notes can be found on the Garden's website. The genus was named for Dr. Charles Amson, an 18th century American colonist. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Elegant cornelian cherry dogwood was selected as a cultivar for its abundant fruit, which are sweeter than is typical of the species and considered an edible fruit crop in Europe where the fruits may be used for preserves or syrups. In other respects the Elegant cultivar is typical of the species -- … bark. Members of the genus Cornus , commonly known as dogwoods, are welcome in the home garden for their multi-season interest -- be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… speckled with pink and creamy white. Poinsettias have flower bracts that are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors but are actually modified leaves. The … are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, they require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia, called cyathia, are unassuming, grouped …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
