… programs. My main focus is supporting the Garden’s local, regional, and national efforts to increase the supply of native seed for habitat restoration. I help manage the Plant Conservation Alliance Non-Federal Cooperator Committee and the Garden’s work to live up to its Commitment to Indigenous Communities. I have nearly 20 years of experience as a …
Type: Staff bio
… are tiny insects often seen hovering above moist soil of indoor plants. They are attracted to damp soil mixes that contain peat moss or shredded pine bark where they lay their eggs. The … where they can do extensive damage, particularly in greenhouse propagation situations. To reduce the gnat population, change the environment they prefer: avoid overwatering indoor … cover the soil with an inch of sharp sand to deter egg laying. Insecticides are available for professional greenhouse use but are not normally recommended for the occasional home problem. …
Type: Plant Info
… Peonies are popular garden plants, known for their stunning flowers, their cold hardiness and the huge variety of their colors, forms and habits. They are divided into two main groups: herbaceous, which die to the ground in the fall, and tree peonies, deciduous plants with woody stems which they retain … is classified as early, mid and late – ‘Margaret Clark’ is a late season bloomer. It grows to 34” tall, taking on a shrubby appearance throughout the summer, then dies to the ground in the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Oblong grey green leaves provide contrast in the garden landscape and a savory addition to the traditional Thanksgiving stuffing (and other dishes). Full sun and soils that don't remain moist for long periods are keys to its success in Chicago area gardens. This plant has been used for medicinal purposes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… features fully double orange, scarlet, and yellow blooms above dark green foliage that grows to 16 inches in height during cool weather. When temperatures warm, the plants stop growing and store their nutrients in bulbs. For this reason, the seeds are sown in a cool greenhouse in winter, six weeks before bloom time. The bulbs, which resemble a hand with fingers, are hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and can be harvested and kept in a cool dark place until next winter, …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Classic dark red tulip on sturdy long stems that is ideal for forcing or planting as an annual in the garden. Outdoors, plant as soon as the bulbs (and … a more robust root system before the chill of winter sets in, making them primed and ready to burst into flower in spring. If a bit of cheer is required to fight off the winter doldrums, place the purchased bulbs in a flower pot as tightly packed as …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Hardy kiwi vine 'Dumbarton Oaks' is female, and that's important to know if you want to grow it for the fruit as well as the flowers, because you'll need a male vine for …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… near the Cornell Experimental Station. 'Geneva' is female, and that's important if you want to grow it for the fruit as well as the flowers, because you'll need a male vine for pollination. Once the … with deliciously sweet, smooth-skinned fruit about the size of a large grape.'Geneva' is hardy to -25, so you can be confident Chicago winters won't faze it. And it's happy in full sun or …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Arrowwoods were favored by native Americans for their use in making arrows as the branches are very straight. This arrowwood is called … because it is a much smaller version of a larger arrowwood shrub. PAPOOSE™ grows to only about four feet tall and wide and has a rounded form, making it a truly compact and … flowers in June. These are followed by bunches of dark blue berries that are irresistible to birds. Viburnums are a versatile genus of multi-stemmed shrubs that are well suited to the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Deam arrowwood viburnum is notable for its densely branched habit and very lustrous foliage that can handle hot, dry weather with … of other arrowwood viburnums, the buds are raspberry red and do resemble raspberries prior to opening. Its blue-black fruit in fall is held above the foliage, which turns a combination of red, purple and orange. This variety is native from southern Ohio to Missouri but is relatively rare in the trade. Viburnums are a versatile genus of multi-stemmed …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
