… 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, moderate days and increased rainfall. This is … 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
… Q. Please advise on special winter protection for my garden plants. A. Many winter injuries common to plants in the Chicago area can be avoided with a few precautionary practices: Since evergreens continue to lose moisture through their needles all winter long, they need a healthy supply of water in …
Type: Plant Info
… Bright yellow flowers on this dancing lady orchid can last for a month or more each; dozens of flowers per stem. Grow indoors in bright light, high … drained potting media. Move outdoors in summer and fertilize weekly with a dilute foliar feed to build up energy for the flowering cycle in winter. The orchid family consists of a large … 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
… Intense burgundy red leaves brighten their colors in bright to full sun light. Great non-hardy plant for adding a tropical feel to a landscape. A tight rosette of leaves in the center provide a water basin to carry the plant …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… A quick primer for successful combinations Every gardener is an artist. After all, you “paint” your garden with plants. Just as an artist moves paint from palette to canvas, the gardener’s art lies in creating a colorful arrangement of flowers and foliage that … how color combinations work can help you get the most out of your garden, big or small. Here's to Hue Most people see a violet afterimage in the white circle. Violet is the complementary color …
Type: Plant Info
… Asia. It produces small white flowers, followed by almost black fruits. It is best suited for a naturalized setting at woodland's edge. Members of the genus Cornus , commonly known as … -- be it flowers, fruit, foliage, and/or bark -- and their range of forms from small trees to suckering shrubs. The dominant display, however, varies among the species. Dogwoods are native to cooler temperate areas of North America and Asia. The genus includes 45-60 species, divided …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The common names for Heliconia stricta are “lobster claws” or “false bird of paradise” and you can see why when … shields the tiny true flower inside, so only hummingbirds and certain butterflies have access to the nectar. The good news is that while the true flowers only last a few days, the bracts can last months. At two to …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Narcissus ‘Hawera’ is in Division 5. It stands only 5 – 6 inches high and blooms in mid to late spring. Each stem bears 6 - 8 fragrant flowers. The petals are pale yellow and reflexed, … The cup is a paler yellow, broad and shallow. Hawera is hardy in zones 4 – 9. It was named for a town on the North Island of New Zealand. The bulbs are toxic and will not be eaten by deer or rabbits. The name Narcissus comes from the Greek word for narcotic and is tied to the myth of a young man known as Narcissus who fell in love with his own reflection. When he …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… of bloom comes in June and July, 'Rumba' keeps repeating into September. Wine red buds open to deep pink flowers, set off by the dense, purple-edged foliage. Topping out at just 3 feet, … and so do gardeners. With bloom all along their branches, they deliver a blanket of color for at least four weeks. And they're very easy to care for. No particular disease or pest problems. No special soil requirements. Just give them …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… leaves combined with a low, spreading habit makes it perfectly suited as a foliage planting for borders and rock gardens — but right now, its purple flower spikes stand like sentinels in … Stachys species typically spread by runners, forming a rapidly spreading mat approximately 4 to 6 inches off the ground. Good drainage in summer and winter is essential for the health and … "woundwort." Early documented use notes the antiseptic qualities of the leaves and their use to bandage wounds. Stachys byzantina extract has shown antimicrobial activity against …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
