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  • … Read the Label All deicing products have advantages and disadvantages. No matter which product best meets your needs, carefully follow label instructions to make sure it is used effectively at the lowest rate possible. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is generally considered the best deicer for plants and from an environmental standpoint. But since high concentrations can reduce oxygen …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … the coming fall at the Chicago Botanic Garden —just the way our ancestors have done for centuries. As the growing season winds down , it’s a busy time for gardeners, ahead of the fall equinox on September 23 in the Northern Hemisphere. Six days … goes to eligible patients in our free prescription produce program, VeggieRx . You can shop for the farm-to-table produce, depending on availability, at our Farm on Ogden indoor market in …
    Type: Blog
  • … is to enhance the connection between people and plants. Jessica and her staff are responsible for updating records of the Garden’s living collection with current planting and location data as well as ensuring that plants are properly labeled for visitors. For decades the Garden had a custom-built plant records database along with several other …
    Type: Staff bio
  • … Q:  Should I cut back my perennials to prepare them for winter?  If so, when? A: Cutting back perennials in the fall can be confusing because there … Susan ( Rudbeckia ) and false indigo ( Baptisia )produce beautiful seedheads that look great for most of the winter. Vines like Clematis have beautiful seedheads; and others, such as … reseed, such as coneflower ( Echinacea ), should not be deadheaded and can remain standing for the winter. Many perennial plants should be cut back to the ground in the fall for sanitation …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … 'Blue Ice' is an Amsonia cultivar known for its compact habit and darker blue flowers. Its popularity has grown steadily since its … attractive after flowering. Members of the genus Amsonia are commonly known as bluestars for the abundant small blue flowers borne in clusters at the stem tips in late spring or early … and more than 3,5000 individual plants. A number of these varieties have been evaluated for their performance in our region; Plant Evaluation Notes can be found on the Garden's website. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … The pin oak is a native oak widely used for landscaping due to its pleasing habit, relatively fast growth rate and ease of transplanting; the latter two characteristics are uncommon for the oak genus. However, the pin oak prefers acidic soil and is intolerant of alkaline soil to … generally alkaline soils of northeastern Illinois, substantial soil amendment may be required for a pin oak to thrive. Identifying features of pink oak include deeply cut leaves and branches …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … ring can become compacted as the fungus continues to grow underground. There is no easy remedy for controlling fairy rings. Fungicides are not effective; nor are home remedies. The best option is to prevent fairy rings from occurring. Before establishing a new lawn, be sure …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … of spent flowers—is a form of pruning. Before making pruning decisions about your roses, it is best to determine the type of rose, and how and when it blooms. Roses are divided into different … Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or [email protected] for additional information. …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … growing 12 to 18 inches tall. Although it is advertised to be hardy to USDA Zone 5, it is best to mulch the plant to protect it and keep it warm in winter. Grow in part-shade areas in … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Q. How do I mulch in preparation for the winter?       A. There are some things to remember when preparing to mulch for the upcoming winter months. If you mulched in the spring, check to see how much mulch is … Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or [email protected] for more detailed information. …
    Type: Plant Info