… This is a dwarf evergreen cultivar that will grow to a height of 6’ and a width of 4’. It has gold … a coppery color in cold weather. It will tolerate a wide range of soil types as long as it is well-drained and slightly acidic. It prefers full sun and partial shade. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Found in the lakes, this small black-and-white diving duck is distinguished by a big white patch on its head. The cold November winds signal the return of … You can identify the male fairly easily—look for a small black-and-white duck. The body is mostly white, the back is black, and the head looks half white and half black. Sometimes there is a greenish sheen to …
Type: Birding
… April is a joyful month, when we plant new trees, transplant or divide late-blooming perennials, cast … onion-like, garlicky smell when crushed (an excellent aid in identification), but this exotic is not a welcome kitchen herb similar to the ornamental onions ( Allium ). What's all the fuss? Garlic mustard is an invasive plant, capable of choking out native eco-systems as it carpets woodland floors, …
Type: Plant Info
… garden, and kitchen waste? Make your own compost—it can do magic for your garden. Compost is simply a mixture of soil and pieces of plants that have decomposed to the point of being unrecognizable. Dark brown and crumbly, it is an attractive addition to any garden. And the things it does for the garden are nothing short … lawn waste out of landfills, it also creates a rich soil amendment for the garden. Compost is the ultimate soil conditioner, since it improves both texture and structure, giving soil that …
Type: Plant Info
… For many of us, part of the joy of spring is heading out to the forest preserves and seeing the wildflowers in bloom. But for Susanne Masi, … information will help to maintain their numbers and ensure their survival in the wild. She is assisted by more than 100 volunteers in a monitoring program called Plants of Concern, a joint … Midwest," she said, "and yet we have 17 genera here in the Chicago area alone. The difference is that orchids are mainly arboreal in the tropics, but here they’re terrestrial. What makes …
Type: Plant Info
… Description: Spotted on Evening Island, the barn owl is rarely seen in this region now. Historically, however, they were more common. That's when Illinois was covered with pasture land. This nocturnal owl is known for its heart-shaped face, and its acute listening skills come in handy for hunting …
Type: Birding
… PEACH PERFECTION® Abelia is a new shrub with tricolor leaves that change from orange to yellow and then green as the season progresses. With white flowers and red stems, this is a beautiful plant. It requires a sunny spot in the garden and blooms from spring into fall. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This buckeye is native to Japan and China. It is large (60 feet high, 40 feet wide) compared to other buckeyes. It blooms with panicles of …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Eagle Rock Virginia pipevine is derived from a plant native to the shaded forests of eastern North America. It is a small clumping plant with medium green arrow-head shaped leaves and bears showy pipe-shaped …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… of Hummelo alpine betony ( Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo') throughout the summer. This cultivar is a butterfly magnet whose flowers are also noted for long vase life indoors. This is a reliable perennial in the Chicago area if planted in locations that don't stay waterlogged …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
