… Dawn Bodnant viburnum is a cross between V. farreri and V. grandiflorum that was selected from seedlings at … most viburnums, and before the emergence of foliage. Because of its early flowering, there is risk of bud/flower damage from late frosts. Fall foliage color is reddish purple. Viburnums are a versatile genus of multi-stemmed shrubs that are well-suited …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This award-winning Weigela is an old-fashioned tried-and-true bush that may well have been in your grandmother's garden. In … buds open to pale blush flowers, shown off against variegated green and white foliage. Foliage is red, orange, and purple in the fall. The plant is most useful as a specimen or in a screen or hedge. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… remnant of the oak woodlands once common in northeastern Illinois, Mary Mix McDonald Woods is, in conservation terms, a restoration — an example of an ecosystem that is being brought back to healthy former conditions. Because of the constant efforts of scientists … Glen — a landscape of water-loving plants that absorbs rainwater runoff in this often-wet site. Because the plants filter pollutants naturally, the water that eventually reaches the lake …
Type: Walks
… Find a host of garlic cultivars for your garden online. Garlic is a member of the genus Allium , which includes chives, onions, shallots, and leeks. It’s an … and the color of their papery wrapping. Elephant garlic, found in stores and garden catalogs, is not a true garlic, but a type of bulbing leek. Snap off curly scapes in spring and use as you … Garlic generally falls into two categories: hard-neck and soft-neck. Soft-neck garlic is named for its soft stem. It’s sometimes called silver-skin garlic in a nod to its white papery …
Type: Plant Info
… natives are great for crafts, decorations and food. A member of the squash family, pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, potassium and vitamin C; low in fat; and high in fiber. Smaller, three- … 85 to 115 frost-free growing days, depending on their size. The Chicago area's last frost is approximately May 15 and then frost isn't expected again until October 15, theoretically … after the last frost) to give the soil enough time to warm up to 60 to 70 degrees. Spring is unpredictable in Chicago, and the seasons often go from winter directly into summer. Sow three …
Type: Plant Info
… Nelumbo lutea , the American yellow lotus, is the only lotus native to the United States. Hardy from Zones 4 to 11, it grows naturally in … and lakes as far north as Ontario and south to Texas and Florida. Our true American native is not to be confused with the Old World lotus, Nelumbo nucifera , the sacred lotus of the Nile, which was introduced to Egypt in 523 by the Persians. This species is revered by Buddhists and Hindus alike, and the seeds, rhizomes, and leaves are an integral …
Type: Plant Info
… have become so ubiquitous in shaded suburban gardens that one species, Hosta lancifolia , is actually known as "the Winnetka weed." But because they are so easy to grow and so adaptable … the more colorful, pest-resistant introductions. While many hostas have attractive flowers, it is their foliage that makes them indispensable for adding shape and substance to a shady garden. … inches high. Since gardeners grow hosta more for their foliage than their flowers, leaf color is of primary importance. Plain green is a thing of the past. Leaves are now blue, blue green, …
Type: Plant Info
… or deck, in beds surrounding a patio, or on a sprawling suburban lot, the gardener’s goal is often the same: create a serene, peaceful retreat—one where you can relax, meditate, read, … pruning, mulching, or mowing and just sit, recharge, and enjoy your creativity.) “A garden is a sort of sanctuary, a chamber roofed by heaven…to wander in, to cherish, to dream through … a rejuvenating oasis, offering respite from the pressures of day-to-day activities. The garden is also a place where you can reflect on your day—or your life—and be one with nature. Here are …
Type: Plant Info
… a drawer or door front, this collection of dried plant leaves, flowers, seeds, and barks is a must-have in American kitchens: full spice racks are prized as wedding gifts and … us are working with outdated, past-their-prime products instead of fresh flavorings. January is a great time for smart gardeners—and smart cooks—to assess, re-assort, assemble, and plan for … meats and stuffings. But what lies deeper at the back of the cupboard? The first thing to do is easy: pull everything out of the drawers and cupboards for a freshness exam. Check the jars …
Type: Plant Info
… A tall-grass prairie native that adds beauty to gardens and nurtures wildlife, switchgrass is now being considered as a potential new fuel source. Divided into two types, upland and … the risk of global warming by replacing fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and oil). The process is a bit complicated, but agronomy professor David Bransby of Auburn University has elegantly … of turning to switchgrass for fuel. When fossil fuels are burnt, explains Bransby, carbon is removed from below ground (gas and oil wells and coal mines) and released into the atmosphere …
Type: Plant Info
