… The air is brisk, the sun is at a lower angle in the sky, and the autumnal fireworks have begun. Like spring, fall offers a … in a hedge or along a foundation or fence. It grows from 3 to 5 feet tall and its common name is dwarf fothergilla. Rhus copallina 'Lanham's Purple’ Flameleaf and shining sumac are common …
Type: Plant Info
… many of our favorite vegetable crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, but there still is hope. By the third to fourth week of April, we can begin to plant a salad garden. Most leaf … by using only young and tender leaves. Unfortunately, the price of these tender young greens is staggering. Markets may charge as much as $7 per pound even though it takes less energy and … The mild flavor comes from the many varieties of leaf or Bibb lettuce. The piquant taste is characteristic of mustard greens. The bitter or tart flavor originates with radicchio, …
Type: Plant Info
… Mid- to end of August is the best time to seed bare areas of lawn, overseed thinning grass, or lay down sod. When seeding lawns, use grass seed appropriate to your site. The best choice for most lawns in northern Illinois is a mix of Kentucky blue grass, perennial rye, and fescue seeds. If seeding in a shaded area, …
Type: Plant Info
… ( M. acuminata ), lily magnolia ( M. liliiflora ) Description & Symptoms Magnolia scale is one of the largest of the soft-scale insects that attacks trees by sucking plant fluids and sap. It is most noticeable in late spring and summer when it appears as large, whitish lumps, up to ½ … of immobile adult scales. Applying horticultural oil in the early spring and late summer is the best treatment. Horticultural oil will smother active and recently settled crawlers. When …
Type: Plant Info
… types of poppies, especially those in containers. Which are best for Chicago? A. Early spring is a fine time to appreciate poppy species, since quite a few are considered cool-season annuals … series. The Shirley poppy ( Papaver rhoeas ), found naturalized throughout Europe, is considered an annual that can self-sow. Fat, furry buds open to single, double or semidouble … 2 feet and bloom in spring to early summer. The California poppy ( Eschscholzia californica ) is the famous orange California native that grows 12 to 15 inches. The beautiful ‘Thai Silk’ …
Type: Plant Info
… kept in a bright, cool location away from direct sunlight. One to two hours of direct sunlight is acceptable in the winter months as long as they do not become too warm. Temperatures of 60 to … are ideal. The soil should be kept slightly moist at all times. When watering cyclamen, it is important to water near the outer rim of the pot to avoid the center of the plant which can … returned to a cool, bright location. Plants should produce new foliage when regular watering is resumed and a diluted fertilizer is applied monthly. New blooms should be produced in …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What sort of spring care should I provide for my roses? A. April is the appropriate month for some basic and necessary pruning. Pruning not only promotes improved flowering, it is essential for good overall plant health. Timing is important. Begin pruning when dormant roses begin to leaf out in the spring. It is best to …
Type: Plant Info
… Said Crocus: "My this wind is cold! Most wish I had not been so bold; here the fields are still all brown; glad I wore my … are good for naturalizing. The grass-like foliage will die back by late spring. An added bonus is the ease with which these plants can be forced. Plant the bulbs 4 inches deep. “Very reliable, and this species (Crocus tommasinianus) is squirrel-resistant." —Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation “This …
Type: Plant Info
… number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- … -- though the absolute temperature range (cool, intermediate or warm) varies by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom … sustain the plant through dry periods. Other varieties are monopodial, meaning upward growth is from a single growing point. There is an exception to almost every general statement one can …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals, often … though the absolute temperature range (cool, intermediate, or warm) varies by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom … sustain the plant through dry periods. Other varieties are monopodial, meaning upward growth is from a single growing point. There is an exception to almost every general statement one can …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
