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  • … Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden The Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden is one of three sites for the Chicago Botanic Garden's Plant Evaluation Program, where scientists study plants to determine which are best suited for midwestern gardens and those in similar climates. Sun-loving herbaceous … Garden's Plant Evaluation Program, where scientists study plants to determine which are best suited for midwestern gardens and those in similar climates. Sun-loving herbaceous …
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  • … of one plant (called a scion) onto another plant (called a stock). The rootstock is thought to impart disease resistance and increased vigor to a less vigorous—perhaps heirloom—tomato … rate! Much to my relief, the lone survivor was a superlative tomato plant in almost every way. Oh, what a strong tomato we had! My excitement rose—what if heirloom tomatoes could be as … out of direct sunlight, to heal for up to one week. When planning on grafting, growers must buy double the amount of seed and need to double the number of plantings (to account for the …
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  • … The start of the new year is an ideal time for homeowners to begin making plans for enhancing their garden's beauty. As with making resolutions, it's easy … — and, by extension, your life! Planting one tree in the right place is an easy and affordable way to create beauty and improve the quality of life. Trees enhance the landscape in all seasons, … way to enjoy fresh flowers is to grow a cutting garden from seed. For around $20 you can buy a collection of seeds for a summer's worth of flowering annuals that make excellent …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … in early spring, gardeners get itchy. And for vegetable gardeners, late March is not too soon to get started. But you can't plant just anything Only a few crops, mainly greens and root … moderate than farther away from Lake Michigan. Your own garden may not warm up as fast. The best way to know when to start sowing is to get a soil thermometer (less than $5) and make sure the …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … green roof of the Garden’s Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center has led to the publication of Plant Evaluation Notes highlighting the most extensive list of best plants for green roofs in Zone 5. A diverse group of 216 herbaceous and woody taxa were … four-star good ratings for their strong performances. “Ultimately, the success of a green roof is due to the success of the plants growing on it,” said Richard Hawke, plant evaluation manager …
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  • … 'Dainty Bess' is officially classified as a hybrid tea, but it is a bit confusing because it doesn't look like … It has single pink flowers with a prominent cluster of maroon stamens. Each flower measure 4 to 5 inches across with a sweet scent. This cultivar was developed in 1925 as a cross between … tea roses were developed by crossing tea roses with hybrid perpetual roses. The goal was to produce strong-stemmed roses with a long bloom period. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … and other evergreens providing a calming backdrop. Arborvitae ( Thuja  sp.) are among the best evergreens for bright winter color. Cultivars such as  Thuja occidentalis ‘ Golden Globe’ … blue needles and beautiful brown bark. Others, such as  Pinus virginiana ‘ Wate’s Golden’ turn to a soft yellow hue that lights up the garden. The yellow foliage of this  Thuja occidentalis … view the landscape. Contrasting textures and shapes keep the garden interesting even when snow is minimal. Fresh snow highlights the different textures found throughout the garden.   The Dwarf …
    Type: Blog
  • … a sigh of relief with me. Sigh. We made it. Now that it’s officially patio season, it’s time to get out and enjoy the sun. Which has me wondering…should my houseplants join me outside? Can … now, pots are popping up all along back wooden porches across the city. But if you have little to no outdoor space—like me—it can be a challenge to give your houseplants a much needed breath … until it blows over. Of my plant collection, Sherwood said my spider plant would probably do best outside. She also recommended elephant ears as a new outdoor option. I don’t have room in my …
    Type: Blog
  • … Q: My red-twig dogwood stems don't seem to be as bright red as they used to be. What is the problem? A. As red-twig dogwood stems age, they turn dark in color. The best way to maintain your plant's health and maximize its color is to prune it using a technique known …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Early summer in the Dwarf Conifer Garden is all about the new growth. Everything is bursting forth with fresh new growth in vivid shades … spring, when radiant yellow new growth bursts forth, bringing a welcome dose of sunshine to the garden. Picea pungens  ‘Spring Ghost’ Pinus contorta  ‘Taylor’s Sunburst’ Pinus cembra … of the deepest green needles in the garden. All of these colors are a seasonal show that is best appreciated before things start to heat up for the summer, so come see them while the colors …
    Type: Blog