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  • … the few orchids that are used as edibles worldwide, one is world-famous and probably already in your kitchen cabinet: Vanilla planifolia . One of the 110 species in the orchid genus Vanilla, V. planifolia is a vining orchid that's indigenous to Mexico. Its … a capsule) that, when cured and dried, is familiarly called a vanilla bean. Once upon a time in a land far away... Vanilla was "discovered" by explorer Hernán Cortés when he encountered the …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … ever aspired to make your own holiday light display a little more artistic?  Love and Be Loved in the Linden Allée Bright Idea s in the Lakeside Gardens Firefly Spheres in the Sensory Garden Ricochet in the Lakeside Gardens We had the opportunity to talk with …
    Type: Blog
  • … Description: Look in areas of scattered trees for this distinctively colored bird of open savanna habitats. They are often seen in the Dixon Prairie. …
    Type: Birding
  • … This vine blooms in early spring to late fall. With a bloom color of red or orange, it does best when grown in full sun. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … This is rare species found only in . It can reach a height of 75’. It will do best in a sunny location with well-drained soil. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … New! Anyone who spends one year in the Chicago area knows how tumultuous the weather can be in spring. Climatic conditions can change from sunny and mild to blizzard conditions in a day. For outdoor photographers, this presents challenges. Learn specific ways to prepare and …
    Type: Item Detail
  • … If not done in September, fertilize lawns with a slow-release, organic fertilizer with a 4-1-2 or 3-1-2 ratio. The final application of high-nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in November. This late treatment will help the grass to green up faster in spring. Continue to mow lawns at 2½ to 3 inches. Grass clippings may be added directly to …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Almost black stems support the dark green leaves, making this cultivar easy to identify in a crowd of asters. Butterflies, honeybees, etc. can't resist the nectar and pollen. The narrow upright form of the flowering stems make this a favorite cut flower. Plant this aster in full sun and in moderately moist soils. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … This aster blooms in late summer-early fall with masses of fine-petaled lavender-pink flowers. It can reach a height of 1 foot with a 2 foot spread, but should be clipped back by a fourth in early summer. This creates a denser, more compact plant with more flowers. It should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is both heat and drought tolerant. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … rue ( Thalictrum aquiligiifolium ) grows 2' to 3' tall and has a lovely ethereal quality in the garden. Use it in the middle of a sunny perennial garden. Flowers, which consist mostly of colorful stamens, are very small but extremely abundant. Lilac flowers adorn this plant in early summer. The columbine meadow rue is a delicate plant of very fine texture. A first-rate …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant