… make-a-floral-centerpiece gathering. One Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving, we did just that for the first time in our office at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Within an hour, each of my work … if anyone brings wine and snacks to share. Gather supplies You should pick up a few things for the group. Flower holders Provide something to keep flowers in place inside the containers. … many different kinds of flowers. Stick to bunches of three, considering colors and textures. For instance, you might pick a peach carnation, orange mum, and yellow rose. Favorites It …
Type: Blog
… and fruits, with vines up to 20 feet long that need some kind of support unless you have space for them to sprawl. Many cooks and gardeners appreciate heirloom tomatoes—the old-fashioned varieties our ancestors grew, which have been rediscovered for their taste and long growing season. Keeping Them Happy Tomatoes need full sun and … be spaced 1 foot apart if they will be supported, and 3 to 4 feet apart if there is room for them to sprawl. Dwarf varieties are easily grown in containers, making them a favorite crop …
Type: Plant Info
… tomatoes in a variety of colors and flavors. Tomato plants are not pretty We don't grow them for their ornamental value or their perfect flowers or their dainty texture. Nor should we choose … life, or holds up when stacked ten deep in a giant red pyramid. We grow these awkward plants for the juiciness and flavor of their fruit, no matter how funky or misshapen some of that fruit … There are pear-shaped, cherry-shaped, ribbed, round, and oval varieties often developed for specific purposes, e.g., canning, stewing, slicing, or saucing. Favorites Gardeners have good …
Type: Plant Info
… effectively killing the plant, since the rhizome is left with no means to produce food/energy for future growth. Gardeners interested in establishing wildflower gardens should make a point to … nurseries. Never harvest from the wild. It takes several years, sometimes as much as seven, for a seed to turn into a flowering plant. In Maine, trillium has been declared endangered; in … vulnerable.” While native Americans enjoyed the greens as a vegetable or chewed the leaves for a variety of medicinal purposes, ranging from rheumatism, menstrual cramps, and earaches, we …
Type: Plant Info
… Some flowers resemble old garden roses; some are borne singly on as long a stem as possible for a mini. While the average mini grows 1 to 2 feet, there are micro-minis no taller than 6 … minis that grow to 10 feet, with each plant a dwarf version of the full-sized variety. Culture for miniature roses is the same as for the full-sized plants. Minis purchased in winter must be grown in a southern window or under …
Type: Plant Info
… of Amaryllis with a darker throat. A "new" variety, individual 'Red Pearl' bulbs are selling for a little more than $10 each from the Dutch originator. Hippeastrum used to be included in the … assigning the name Amaryllis to plants from South Africa and used the name Hippeastrum for the species originating in South America. Whether called Hippeastrum or Amaryllis (now used only as a common name), these plants provide an easy-to-grow option for Chicago area gardeners who are craving a bit of color during the winter doldrums. Offered in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This year’s cold, wet spring was followed by a hot, dry summer and that spelled trouble for lawns. If you’ve noticed some dead patches or more weeds (like ragweed and nutsedge) than usual, you’re not alone. Although spring is a popular time for lawn renovation, fall is even better. Summer’s heat and drought have ended and the cooler … you can pull weeds by hand—it's efficient, safe, and effective. A dandelion weeder is handy for this task. When a lawn is already stressed, it’s better to wait before using strong …
Type: Plant Info
… Growing plants from seed is fun and saves money—where else can you get dozens of plants for a few dollars? Many plants can be grown from seed indoors while others, such as carrots and … bags of seed-starting or soilless potting mix, available at local garden centers. Don’t opt for bags of inexpensive, heavy garden soil, which can harbor diseases that attack seedlings. … so it's slightly damp and place it in the pots or flats. Study the seed packet instructions for sowing depth. If the seeds are planted too deep, they won't sprout. Very fine seeds often …
Type: Plant Info
… flower segments; the three larger outer segments are unmarked. Woodland settings are ideal for snowdrops, and they will return year after year if given winter low temperatures that reach … If so, bring them into a cool, bright indoor spot, making sure the compost does not dry out. For outdoor displays, plant bulbs as soon as they are available in the fall. Place in a sunny or … to alkaline pH level. Set bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep and 2 to 3 inches apart, or scatter them for a more naturalized look. Water regularly when they are in bloom. Little fertilizing is …
Type: Plant Info
… A garden can always benefit from those special plants that can stop the eye or act as foils for the sweeps of color and texture that are the mainstays of a perennial border. These plants … a milky sap that in some species can be irritating to the skin. They are ancient plants named for Eurphorbius, a 1st-century Greek physician who used the sap for medicinal purposes. Gloves should be worn when deadheading or pruning spurges, especially if …
Type: Plant Info
