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  • … The American cranberrybush viburnum is native to the northeastern and northwestern parts of the U.S. It will reach a height of 12’ … that are attractive to birds and may be made into preserves or jellies for humans. Fall color is bronze to red. It will grow in full sun to partial shade and is not fussy about soil types or conditions. Cultivars are more commonly found in the trade than …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … 'Purple Passion' produces red-purple stalks that are sweeter than green varieties. It is best eaten raw, since it loses its purple color when cooked. 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
  • … states, it blooms on new growth, so do not prune until after flowering. The Chicago area is a little north of its native range, so some winter damage may occur, but will not affect flowering on new growth. The genus Calycanthus is separated into its own family, with its nearest relatives in the laurel family, which includes cinnamon and sassafras. The fruit is a hard oblong capsule shaped like a fig. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … states, it blooms on new growth, so do not prune until after flowering. The Chicago area is a little north of its native range, so some winter damage may occur, but will not affect flowering on new growth. The genus Calycanthus is separated into its own family, with its nearest relatives in the laurel family, which includes cinnamon and sassafras. The fruit is a hard oblong capsule shaped like a fig. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … tall in late spring and early summer. Each spike can carry between 20 and 80 flowers. It is one of the few North American native bulbs that are widely available for gardeners to plant … but not long-lasting, and foliage goes dormant during late summer. The genus name Camassia is derived from a Native American name for this group of plants, "quamash." All five species in … However, unless the bulbs are prepared according to a narrow set of guidelines, their flavor is at best tolerable. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Description:  This rather rare, cavity-nesting warbler is associated with wet woodland habitats. …
    Type: Birding
  • … year, it's tempting to hibernate and rest up for the tilling and planting to come. But January is prime time for another kind of preparation: learning all you can to make this growing season … could stay home and read books or browse websites. But a winter or spring class or workshop is a better place to start. You can ask questions, get guidance for further research, and meet … help you get the most out of your garden learning experience The first and most important step is to make sure you're in the right class, says Jill Selinger, manager of continuing education. …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … an unusual plant variety, or to give a fresh cutting a try. What's often called a lily pad is actually a floating leaf: Nymphaea 'Arc-en-Ciel' is sometimes grown specifically for its beautifully mottled and variegated leaves. Still, there … month in Smart Gardener, we dive into one of them: the watery world of waterlilies. Nymphaea is the beautifully named genus for about half of all waterlily species. (The Nymphaeaceae family …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Summer is just around the corner, and summer is the time for color. This class presents the many ways plants can be combined and mixed to …
    Type: Item Detail
  • … Q. What is the correct fertilizer to use for bulbs? A. If the bulbs are to be sited in slightly infertile … top of the soil after planting. These products have a higher proportion of phosphorus, which is necessary for optimum root development. An alternative would be to sprinkle a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer around the site in spring as the leaves are emerging and then again in fall. Always water in granular …
    Type: Plant Info