… through another Chicago winter? A. The single most important need of your evergreens this fall is water. Because they will continue to lose moisture through their needles throughout the … shrubs during autumn; this means making sure they receive a good soaking before the ground is completely frozen. Refrain from fall pruning, since this may encourage new green growth that … evergreens can be screened from damaging northwest winds by setting up burlap barriers. Since site selection is critical with all trees and shrubs, examine the locations of these plants. If …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. Is there an all-purpose mulch I can use throughout the different areas of my garden? A. Looking … white stone to shredded cypress to cocoa shells, it appears the selection of mulch materials is never-ending. One of the best mulches for garden beds originates in your own backyard. It’s … and oxygen in addition to increasing the ability of plants to develop healthy roots. Compost is best applied 2 to 3 inches thick once soils have warmed up, after weeds have been removed and …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. Are poinsettia plants poisonous? A. The term "poisonous plants" is often associated with plants that may cause great harm or be fatal if ingested. Potential … the amount consumed. The latex in some species of plants in the Poinsettia genus ( Euphorbia ) is poisonous when ingested and can cause contact dermatitis when exposed to skin. The popular … latex sap of poinsettia plants may cause mild, short-lasting skin irritation. Plant toxicity is often measured by a quantitative amount of material ingested. Care should always be taken when …
Type: Plant Info
… Chicago), and the Japanese American Service Committee of Chicago (JASC). JOURNEY CHICAGO is a series of events taking place throughout the month of October at cultural heritage centers across the city’s neighborhoods and suburbs. This series is a marquee program of the Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA). Free with regular parking and admission fees; pre-registration is not required. All ages welcome. …
Type: Event for Calendar
… walk at 1 p.m. You can also take a self-guided walk in McDonald Woods. (A short trail loop is about 1/3 mile; the longer trail loop is about 2/3 mile.) Dress for the weather. If winds are 20 or more miles per hour or if there is heavy rain, the program will be canceled. Free; regular parking and admission fees apply. …
Type: Event for Calendar
… Cocos nucifera is the scientific name of the coconut palm. Its origin may be the islands of the Pacific or … feet long, with clusters of fruit tucked under them. The coconut fruit, botanically a “drupe”, is one of the largest seeds in the world. Coconut milk is obtained by grating the white meat of the fruit. Other coconut products include coconut water, …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to slightly dry soils. Butterflies, bees, wasps, and moths all cover this plant when it is in full bloom—it is truly a pollinator magnet. A toxin (tremetol) found in this plant is responsible for "milk fever," a disease that was widespread across much of eastern and central …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The dune aloe ( Aloe thraskii ) is a large, single-stemmed, tree-like succulent that grows to a height of 6.5 to 13.5 feet tall. … plant was named by John Gilbert Baker (1834-1920) in 1880 for a Mr. Thrask, about whom nothing is known. Attractive to birds, butterflies, and bees, the dune aloe is deer tolerant. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Almost everyone is familiar with Aloe vera , the pass-along plant known widely for its ability to ease the … warm temperatures, and wide root run. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993, it is considered a tropical plant and overwinters best in a heated greenhouse or other indoor … widely traded that the original nativity of the plant has been lost. Regardless, this species is widely grown in arid environments and has naturalized in Sudan, the southern Arabian …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… 'Jersey Supreme' is a high-yielding variety with uniform stalks that can be harvested earlier than some other varieties. Asparagus is a hardy perennial with thick, succulent shoots that are harvested in April to early May, … and many minerals. It needs to be planted in well-drained soil, with careful selection of the site, considering that it will continue to grow for 15 to 20 years. It also makes an attractive …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
