… from the tropical rainforests of south-east Asia and northeastern Australia where it thrives in consistently moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. The leaves of this plant are a bright green with scalloped edges and can grow to three to six feet in length and point upward. Giant taro is not hardy in Chicago and the rhizomes can be lifted and overwintered in a cool, dry, dark location and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This perennial grows to a height of 3-5 feet in full sun and moist soil conditions. It has tiny fragrant flowers in spherical umbels and attracts butterflies in July and August. While the usual color is pink, 'Ice Ballet' was selected for its glistening …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Large showy pink bracts subtend the clusters of drooping yellow flowers tipped in turquoise during the winter months in Chicago. The vase forming leaves are grayish-green with black spines along the edge. This bromeliad comes from the American tropics where it thrives in the top of tree canopies deriving nutrition from the leaf litter that blows/falls into the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… One of the earliest colchicum to come into flower, often in late August. The goblet shaped flowers mature to a flattened star shape. Mostly white flowers (or very pale lilac) with deeper lilac colored tips to the tepals. Plant in full sun in moist but well drained soils among companion plants that can accomodate the luxuriant foliage …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… adorn this large, lovely tree that grows to 50' or so. The spread can be wider than the height in mature plants. It is one of the most pollution-tolerant trees and works well in the city and in large, open areas. Insignificant green flowers appear in the spring. Ginkgo has wonderful …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Sneezeweed is a native plant in the aster family found growing throughout North America in areas with damp meadows or rich woodlands. Growing 3' to 5' tall, it makes a formidable statement in the back of a garden border. Pretty yellow ray flowers that are about two inches in diameter …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Spanish bluebells, bulbs native to the Iberian Peninsula come in a variety of colors ranging from the typical blue to pink and white. Flower spikes measuring 12 inches tall are covered in dainty, bell-shaped flowers in April. Several exceptional color forms have been selected over the years and given cultivar …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… primarily grown for its decorative foliage, a spike of delicate creamy white flowers appears in early to mid summer, increasing the height to 18 inches and adding interest. Carnival Plum … by Darwin Plants, the official trade name of a Dutch company, Witteman and Co, founded in 1865. For the best foliage color grow in partial shade. It works well as a color accent on containers or borders and mass planted in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… If you are here in the fall or winter perhaps you see the small red fruits on this tree? In colonial times these fruits were called 'haws' and that's why this tree is called a hawthorn. … thorns too.) The Washington hawthorn is native to eastern north America where it would grow in open areas and on the margins of thickets. This tree has dark green glossy lobed leaves and in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… upright shrub that grows to about 9 feet tall and wide, it bears inconspicuous white flowers in June. Prune in spring for shape. While best suited to moist sites with morning sun and afternoon shade, it grows well in moderate soils but poorly in alkaline soils. The plant is best placed in a hedge or a border …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
