… flowers held high above the foliage on long stalks called scapes, they are grown primarily for their foliage and neat habit. Hostas are actively hybridized for leaf color, size, shape, and texture; natural mutations or “sports” are also common; new … Hosta cultivars range in size from several inches to several feet; it may take 3-8 years for hostas to reach their full size. They all prefer moist, loamy soil enriched with organic …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… measuring 12 inches tall are covered in dainty, bell-shaped flowers in April. They are good for mass planting and reliably hardy in the Chicago area. In its native habitat it is frequently … systems like oaks that permit the two species to live side by side without directly competing for soil nutrients. By the time the trees leaf out, the bulbs have completed their growth cycle for the year and have begun to go dormant. Some taxonomic authorities consider bluebells to be …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… suckers readily to form a large multi-stemmed clump. Use winterberry in the shrub border or for massing and screening. There are many cultivars from which to select. Winterberry bushes are dioecious, meaning they have separate sexes, so for fruiting, both male and female specimens must be in close proximity (one male pollinator is sufficient for four to six females). The flowers are small, white, and not ornamentally significant. Red …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The Chinese cork oak is native to east Asia. It is notable for its thick, furrowed bark that can be harvested commercially for cork. The leaves display an unusual degree of variation -- hence the specific epithet … (biennial). Oaks are often imposing shade trees at maturity and provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… so you may see all three colors on the same bush, or even in a single flower cluster. It makes for a lovely and unexpected spring show, lasting a month or more.</p> <p>Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love <em>Weigela</em>, and so do gardeners. For a plant that gives you so much to look at, they're very easy to care for. No particular disease or pest problems. No special soil requirements. Just give them good …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Native to Europe and western Asia, Humulus lupulus is an attractive perennial vine suitable for Chicago-area gardens. During July, soft green conelike flowers known as strobiles emerge. … appeal. When the strobiles mature during mid- to late September, they can be collected for home brewing or other herbal uses. The vine is dioecious, meaning that male and female … 1/8- to 1/4-inch in size and not as bothersome as one would think, but gloves should be worn for pruning or handling the vines. With their smaller bristles, cultivated varieties of hop are …
Type: Plant Info
… As the Earth changes faster than life can keep up, scientists seek biodiverse possibilities for the future. The greenhouse, called the “Gleanhouse,” celebrates the crucial role seed banks … As the Earth changes faster than life can keep up, scientists seek biodiverse possibilities for the future. The greenhouse, called the “Gleanhouse,” celebrates the crucial role seed banks …
Type: Page
… programs to internships, workshops, and seminars, the Garden is providing exceptional training for future conservation leaders. Our education and training programs constitute a pathway or … programs to internships, workshops, and seminars, the Garden is providing exceptional training for future conservation leaders. Our education and training programs constitute a pathway or …
Type: Page
… Sources The following is a list of our most frequently used sources for "What's in Bloom: Bloom Highlights." Reference Books Brickell, Christopher, and H. Mark … of Agriculture: plants.usda.gov … The following is a list of our most frequently used sources for "What's in Bloom: Bloom Highlights." Reference Books Brickell, Christopher, and H. Mark …
Type: Page
… Many are even relatively unpalatable to squirrels, and in the right spot, they will live for many years. Challenges In the erratic midwestern climate, the biggest danger to all bulbs … because any bulbous plant's leaves are the energy factory it depends on to make a flower for next year. Extend the flowering season, and expand charm in your garden by adding these small … little treats don't make much of an impact one by one. Like most of the small bulbs, they are best planted in masses, in spots where you will walk by them on the sidewalk or can appreciate …
Type: Plant Info
