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  • … roses should be encouraged to develop lateral, flower-bearing canes. Continue to check peonies for botrytis blight or other foliar fungal problems. Peonies that suffered from botrytis or bud … regularly, starting when the plants are between 2 to 4 inches tall. Cage or provide support for peony blossoms when the plants are 10 inches tall. Let spring bulb foliage yellow and wither before removing it. The leaves manufacture food that is stored in the bulb for next year’s growth. Even braiding the foliage of daffodils can reduce the food production of …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Moth orchids ( Phalaenopsis and the closely related x Doritaenopsis ) are among the easiest for homeowner culture. Provide bright light, well- drained soils, some humidity, and small amounts of water every couple of days for years of repeat bloom. The orchid family consists of a large number of genera, each with its … 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
  • … 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 … 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 number of genera, each … 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
  • … An Herbal Fix for Winter Doldrums The winter solstice arrives on December 21. It marks the official start of … That’s all the more reason to have a little fun with herbs. Here are some do-it-yourself ideas for using these aromatic workhorses, fresh or dried, home grown or store bought. They’re sure to get you through the long winter months ahead.   DIY Herbal Facial Steam Take time out for an herbal facial. First, wash your face. Place dried or fresh herbs (1 tablespoon of …
    Type: Plant Info
  • For 50-year members, the Garden has meant inspiration, refuge, and more The Chicago Botanic … them, and it was a way to find a little bit of peace in our otherwise crazy lives. … I taught for a number of years, and I had copious papers to correct. When I discovered coming over here … through some very difficult years. I had peace and quiet here. So I think that’s what I come for. It feeds my spirit. It improves me.” –Madeleine Felix Madeleine Felix “This was my refuge”   …
    Type: Blog
  • … and scouting — to end-of-the-season projects that can add beauty to their home landscapes for many seasons to come. Gardening Alchemy A wealth of basic ingredients makes late summer the … you chose, the natural process of decomposition will provide a nutrient-rich amendment for improving both clay and sandy soils, and will provide homemade organic mulch that will help … suppress weeds, moderate soil temperatures, and conserve soil moisture — benefits which make for happier and healthier plants all year long. Another important benefit of composting is having …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … a small, spring-flowering ornamental tree. Now’s the time to shop and plant. “October is great for planting,” says Tim Johnson, the Garden’s senior director of horticulture. “Any tree that is above ground—typically dug in spring, late summer, or early fall—is fine for planting from my perspective.” Planting now allows trees and shrubs time to establish good … The plants will not be stressed by brutal heat and as long as you keep them watered for the next six weeks or so, they will adjust to their new home. Safety First Before you dig, …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Dwarf Conifer Garden. Evergreens are cherished in midwestern gardens, parks, and streetscapes for the steady color they bring even to the gray and brown winter. Yet as much as we love to … Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)   Other evergreens have wider leaves: boxwoods, for example, such as those stately pyramids in the English Walled Garden. These plants evolved in … some winters may not be until after Christmas. "Winter kill" is the term horticulturists use for the patches of dried-out foliage often seen on evergreens in spring. In some kinds, it's an …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … And you might hear the hoot of an owl or see the tracks of coyotes, which are also looking for mice. We tend to think of winter as a time when animals curl up and hibernate like bears. … But you can see a lot of activity here in winter, just as in your backyard, if you look for it. Deer mice, like the meadow voles in the prairie, must be out and about all winter, searching for food. When they can, voles will burrow under the snow or through mulch to nibble on the …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … capture the brilliant colors of autumn with gouache. Gouache is an opaque water media perfect for the bright colors of fall leaves and foliage. Some supplies provided. The School’s CEUs=11 …
    Type: Item Detail