… a small, upright spreading tree with a dense, rounded crown or a large multi-stemmed shrub. It is easy to grow in moist, rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade and performs well in … grows 6-8 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide with light green leaves that turn brilliant scarlet in the fall. Tough and drought-tolerant, it grows best in full to partial sun. It can be grown either as a small tree or a privacy hedge. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer being updated. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Viva Vita Pride Month is a time to honor the history and voices of the LGBTQIA+ community—which makes me, a plant … Sackville-West (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons ) Sackville-West (1892-1962) is well-known for her close relationship with writer Virginia Woolf; she was also a dedicated gardener and … pioneers like Vita, were challenging attitudes on feminism, sexuality, and gender well before this. I have little doubt if Sackville-West were alive today, she would be a strong voice in our …
Type: Blog
… weather-tolerant landscapes that can adapt to both drought and occasional flooding. Start with the Soil While Illinois rainfall ranges from 30 to 50 inches a year, it rarely falls evenly … allowing moisture to penetrate deeper. And the very same organic matter makes it easier for naturally fast-draining sandy soils to retain more life-sustaining moisture. Adding a layer … soils will become compacted, a serious threat to long-term plant health. When rainfall is scarce, irrigating deeply but infrequently encourages plants to develop extensive root systems …
Type: Plant Info
… has spilled all over my kitchen floor. It happened while I was dumping another withered plant—this time, a sad collard green—from its pot into the trash. The mess, and the funeral, is for a good cause though. Today, I bravely enter new territory: My neighborhood garden center, …
Type: Blog
… A great way to get into the winter spirit is to create your own wreath, featuring embellishments inspired by nature. Don't be intimidated: We will take you step by step through the process. The best part is that you can add your own touches to make your wreath truly one-of-a-kind. Here are …
Type: Blog
… There’s no question that native plants are popular. They provide food and shelter for native bees and many other important pollinators. Many native plants are drought-tolerant, … disease- or pest-resistant. As ground covers, some can be used in place of turf grass, which is difficult to grow in shade. Others, like ferns, complement nonnative perennials in shady beds, … Here are some native plants for shade gardens. Black cohosh or bugbane (Actaea racemosa) This shade-tolerant perennial blooms in summer. It's easy to grow in average, moisture-retentive …
Type: Plant Info
… Rhododendrons are popular woody shrubs grown for their spectacular spring flowers. Within this genus, taxonomists estimate that there are between 800 and 1,000 species. They are native to … of hybrids! Compact Korean azalea ( Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense 'Compacta') is hardy to Zone 4, as is Orchid Lights rhododendron. Molly Fordham blooms in early April. P.J.M. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q: During the cold seasons we deal with icy walks and driveways and worry about the potential damage to our lawn and landscape plantings from deicing agents. What can we use that is safe and effective? A: The safety of both residents and visitors requires that we deal with … and always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Please contact Plant Information Service at [email protected] or call (847) 835-0972 on Wednesdays and Thursdays … Type: Plant Info
… cold to shed her bloom. —Elizabeth Gordon What can give us more hope that the end of winter is near than to see the young shoots of snowdrops (Galanthus spp . ) emerging from the … flower segments; the three larger outer segments are unmarked. Woodland settings are ideal for snowdrops, and they will return year after year if given winter low temperatures that reach … in the Graham Bulb Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden: Common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) This species has 1/4-inch, blue-green leaves and 6- to 9-inch stems that support a single flower, …
Type: Plant Info
… native plants can play in home landscapes. But just because a plant has been growing somewhere for as long as anyone can remember doesn't mean it's a native plant! Important to the ecosystem … they often grow so rampantly that they choke out native plants. The unfortunate result is less biodiversity, and an ecosystem that needs to be restored. Urban development also has a … stress than nonnative plants, which usually means fewer pest and disease problems. This often results in less time and money spent maintaining them, and fewer garden chemicals …
Type: Plant Info
