… x clandonensis 'Arthur Simmonds', commonly known as Arthur Simmonds bluebeard, is the result of a cross between Caryopteris incana and Caryopteris mongholica . The original … was raised in plantsman Arthur Simmonds' garden in Surrey, England, in 1933, and belongs to that group of plants known as dieback shrubs. These are soft-wooded shrubs or subshrubs that … above-ground growth tends to die back, anywhere from a few inches from their tips all the way down to the base of the plant. But the roots remain hardy; and when pruned hard in early …
Type: Plant Info
… Prairie dock ( Silphium terebinthinaceum ) is a distinctive native of the tallgrass prairie featuring leafless stems up to 10 feet tall topped by panicles of bright yellow, 3-inch-wide flowers. The leaves—some quite … and very rough. Prairie dock is not fussy as to soils or soil moisture content and flowers best in full sun. The taproot can grow as deep as 12 feet and older plants will form offsets a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… In 2015, the world celebrated soil: the United Nations proclaimed it the International Year of Soils. Soil … the least understood—and therefore least considered—part of gardening. And yet soil is, next to water, the most precious resource that a gardener has. In this edition of Smart Gardener, … bark or wood mulch for paths or heavily landscaped beds, since it contributes little in the way of nutrients. Got dirt? Start fresh with a raised bed garden, and heatlhy, nutrient-laden …
Type: Plant Info
… Description: Most winters, thanks to volunteer Peter Dogiakos, who fills homemade bird feeders with thistle in the Enabling Garden, Garden visitors can get close views of a northern bird species called the pine siskin. Gregarious little birds, pine …
Type: Birding
… Cross'), a hybrid native ironweed that is relatively short (3 feet tall). This cultivar grows best in full sun, with moderately fertile soils, and only needs water during its establishment period. The flowers attract pollinating insects and hummingbirds, while the seeds are coveted by birds. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Purplish-pink flowers are produced on tall, upright panicles that rise above the finely dissected leaves of Chinese astilbe ( Astilbe chinensis var. davidii ), a shade- and … in mid-August and by the taller spikes with distinct finger-like projections. It thrives best in light shade. In bright sun, it will require more moisture in the soil to prevent leaf scorch. When well-sited in the garden, it will grow to 5 feet tall and up to 2 …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Swan Lake spirea produces abundant white blooms along its upright branches. The genus Spiraea consists of small to medium sized flowering shrubs with a fine-textured twiggy mounding habit. The small simple … are quite small, they occur in clusters of inflorescence that can be very showy. Spireas are best used in groupings in a shrub or mixed border, where they are valued as tough, reliable and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… In the dry Mojave Desert, we think it’s a lovely sight when a tiny blade of a baby Joshua tree nudges up from the soil—but, to be honest, we’re a little proprietary about it. As Chicago Botanic Garden interns, we plant … Joshua trees will be saved. Maddy: It takes good ol’-fashioned manual labor and teamwork to get a big project done! Working side by side in the soil and getting to talk about life and our …
Type: Blog
… We built this ofrenda for staff at the Chicago Botanic Garden last year. Ver en español Our family only leaves us when we forget … fragrant marigolds, I headed toward the laughter coming from my family’s graves. That year, in Mexico for Día de los Muertos, I was a 16-year-old kid from Chicago who was just beginning to understand what the holiday meant. The Day of the Dead brings us closer to our ancestors …
Type: Blog
… Q. Every spring I become entranced with the different types of poppies, especially those in containers. Which are best for Chicago? A. Early spring is a fine time to appreciate poppy species, since quite a few are considered cool-season annuals and their seeds …
Type: Plant Info
