… Phaius tankervilliae is a terrestrial orchid producing multiple flower spikes of white flowers accentuated by rosy … native to high, cool, but not cold, environments from the Himalayas down through Indonesia. In the native range, a number of variations of flower color can be found. It's nicknamed the Nun … the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals—often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This orchid produces up to a dozen 4-inch flowers bloom in a blend of orange, yellow, red, and coral with brownish spots on the Pedro Bonetti vanda orchid (X Ascocenda Pedro Bonetti). The upright pseudobulb is canelike and produces aerial roots along the stalk to anchor it to surrounding objects and … basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The Snowflake Fairy Robed in white comes Snowflake Fairy, braving wintry winds and ice, pearly "Maid of February," whom the … cold to shed her bloom. —Elizabeth Gordon What can give us more hope that the end of winter is near than to see the young shoots of snowdrops (Galanthus spp . ) emerging from the … plant bulbs as soon as they are available in the fall. Place in a sunny or semi-shady site, in moist soil with a large proportion of humus. The site should be well drained, with a …
Type: Plant Info
… river birch grows to heights of 40 to 60 feet. When mature, it has an oval, rounded habit and is a good choice for large areas. The flowers are not very showy; brown catkins (male flowers) release their pollen in early spring. The bark is quite handsome; it exfoliates to reveal shades from grayish-brown to … susceptibility to bronze birch borer infestations, birch trees can be challenging to cultivate in the Chicago region. The genus Betula includes an indeterminate number of species of the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Bright yellow trumpet daffodils come into flower early in the season, April in the Chicago region. The color is described as "much brighter than vivid yellow" in the technical description of this cultivar. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q. My Ash tree is going to be taken down and I would like to replace it with another tree of similar ornamental value. What trees would you recommend to plant in its place? A. There are many trees that are hardy to our area and will have a similar ornamental value as an Ash tree. In order to decide on a suitable replacement, first be sure to identify the characteristics that …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What is a rain garden? A. A rain garden is a natural or constructed depression intended to mitigate stormwater. The plantings in a rain garden allow water to percolate into the soil, reducing runoff into storm sewers, reducing erosion, and protecting ground water quality. In addition to being attractive, a rain garden generally requires less maintenance than a lawn …
Type: Plant Info
… plants from Africa, southwestern Asia, and Madagascar, Yemen tree aloe ( Aloe sabaea ) is among 400 species in the genus. The name “aloe” derives from the Greek word, which comes from the Arabian “allock” … flowers, which bloom from November through February, appear on tall upright inflorescences in open conical racemes on a plant that can reach 8 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. This …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… gets its common name because its distinctive horizontal branching habit appears to belong in a Japanese garden, though it is a native species. Its scientific name Cornus alternifolia indicates that its leaves alternate … branch, unlike most of the rest of the Cornus genus. Small yellowish-white flowers are borne in late May and early June and are followed by bluish-black fruit in July that is much beloved by …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… from a rosette of foliage that resembles yucca (without the sharp spines). This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate some shade and needs moisture during the winter, spring, and early … dormant fairly rapidly, leaving the tall spike to mature the seed capsules. The seeds disperse in fall and sound like a rattle when hit by the wind. The eye of the bulb is surrounded by an octopus-like array of roots and should be planted just below the soil …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
