… It asks little more than sunshine and a little drink every once in a while in return for producing a bountiful mass of colorful flower spires from late spring into early summer. It …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… of lavender-blue flowers from June through September. Grow it with silver or white plants for a stunning effect in the perennial border. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… broods is right around the center of Illinois—so Northern Illinois is part of the territory for Brood XIII, which also shows up in parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan; they last … are about 1¼ inches long, black, red-eyed, orange-veined, with clear wings, and they live for two to four weeks. Male cicadas attract females for mating by singing (vibrating their tymbals—drum-like muscles on their abdomens). Different …
Type: Blog
… is soil? Great garden soil teems with life, and the creatures that live there are responsible for breaking down leaves/compost/mulch into the nutrients that your plants need. Some creatures … of soil hold the oxygen that underground roots and animals need. They also create the spaces for water and tiny creatures to move around in. Pressure from above ground—from a car, a tractor, … all natural soil amendments, but the terminology can get confusing. Compost is a general term for natural materials that have decomposed enough to be added to your soil. Every kitchen …
Type: Plant Info
… For those who cherish their time in the garden, the thought of puttering in front of a windowsill … any other new plant in your garden. At summer's end, before you bring them back inside, check for insects or disease. If you suspect a problem, isolate the plant from your other houseplants … take stem cuttings or dig up the whole plant, cutting it down a bit before you bring it inside for beautiful contrast to all the other green in your window. Persian shield ( Strobilanthes …
Type: Plant Info
… of the world’s more than 250 wild, or species, roses, R. rubiginosa has been well known for centuries in its native Europe for two reasons: First, for the dense and thorny hedgerows it can form and, more pleasantly, for the amazing green-apple …
Type: Plant Info
… where the structural shapes really shine in the winter sun and snow. Learn more We have tips for winter photographers. Or grab a hot drink at the Garden View Café, pick up a bingo sheet at … what you can’t see underground: perennials are in a state called quiescence, resting and ready for spring, and there are critters at work in the prairie. Learn more So, bundle up, get outside, and practice friluftsliv . Nature is here for us, 24/7. …
Type: Blog
… is an incredibly long bloom time: it begins to flower in November, and continues blooming for close to six months. This Latouria, or New Guinea-type orchid, is white with dark purple … but not soggy. This host of requirements can make this particular orchid a challenge for Chicago-area homeowners. The orchid family consists of a large number of genera, each with … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to most insects, diseases, air pollution and restricted root runs, it is an ideal tree for urban landscapes. It prefers climates with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Not tolerant … these trees are naturalized decendents from trees planted a couple of thousand years ago. For the last 1,500 years or so, it has been grown in Asian temple gardens. It continues to be cultivated in Chinese fruit orchards for the prized 'silver apricot' fruit that is roasted once the very smelly, soft outer covering …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… densely packed on the flowering stem. This is an orchid that really requires a greenhouse for proper growth in the Chicago area, and it is known for disliking root disturbance, so growth in a slatted wooden box is recommended. The orchid … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
