… Hybridization of certain species of hydrangea has shifted them from their exclusive provenance in New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the more temperate areas of the South, to the flat … soil and maintaining the pH in the 5.0 to 5.5. Determine the soil's pH level using a pH test kit, but beware tap water may alter test results so use deionized water when testing. Add garden lime to raise a soil’s pH, or …
Type: Plant Info
… titmice, blue jays, and others provide a colorful, entertaining addition to our gardens in winter. Unlike spring—when they’re busy singing, looking for a mate, and building nests—in winter, a bird’s main activity is to find and eat enough food to keep warm. They’re searching … 2 inches deep). Birds will not use birdbaths with deep basins. If you’re new to bird-watching, buy a bird identification book. It will make the often dull winter months much more delightful. …
Type: Plant Info
… The fourth of July is upon us, and while many beautiful flowers can be found in patriotic shades of red and white, the color blue is very difficult to find at the Garden. In fact, blue is a rare sight in the entire natural world. Less than ten percent of the plant kingdom features blue flowers, …
Type: Blog
… a plant like any other with specific soil, sun, and moisture requirements. A commercial soil test can be a cost-effective tool for understanding your soil and knowing what amendments it … The results will help to ensure you are fertilizing only as needed with the right nutrients in the proper amounts, and whether there is enough organic matter to maintain good drainage and … top-dress once a year with compost, and use slow-release organic fertilizer only when a soil test says it is needed. They view fast-acting synthetic fertilizers as tools of last resort …
Type: Plant Info
… to behold. Thousands of annuals are putting on a show throughout the display gardens. That’s in addition to the trees, shrubs, and vines that will soon don yellow, red, and russet cloaks. The 15-acre Dixon Prairie features more than 250 species of native plants, including richly colored late bloomers like ironweed and goldenrod … Giant Swiss chard, Flamingo Pink mums, and Strawberry Blonde calendula share the spotlight in the Graham Bulb Garden with 120 blue-flowered Mystic Spires Improved salvia, a pollinator and …
Type: Walks
… stories, and green-thumb tips. Panache sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ‘Panache’) With that in mind, here are five simple secrets for seed-starting success 1. Quality seed starter. Give your seeds a healthy jump start by planting them in a really good seed starting mix. Don’t skimp on quality here—plants grown in inferior mix will … those grown in a high-quality medium. Some adjectives that should describe the product you buy: sterile, fine-grained, free-draining, fluffy, uniform. One brand we’ve had success with: …
Type: Blog
… Look Here’s how you can make Thanksgiving-themed floral centerpieces like a pro: Pick flowers in autumn colors. Buy a few bunches of flowers in different fall colors and textures. Nancy chose red roses, yellow mums, red-yellow mums, and …
Type: Blog
… 7 You can see a very different version of Superbloom projected on this architectural landmark in downtown Chicago! Watch from the Riverwalk and see it come to life on one of the world’s … Museum of Contemporary Art, received a NEFA National Dance Project Award, and toured to nine U.S. venues, engaging a community cast in each city. Locally, the company has performed at venues … a B.F.A. in modern dance from Texas Christian University and an M.A. from Trinity Laban in London. Damon D. Green (associate director) is a Chicago-based dance artist and founder of …
Type: Page
… phlox ( Phlox paniculata ) Tall or small, spring or summer, phlox are a valuable resource in any garden. In the springtime, moss phlox ( Phlox subulata ) is a cheery smile of lavender … as he has done through more than 30 multiyear trials of different plants, Hawke was out to test how well breeders' claims stand up in a garden setting in all the kinds of weather Chicago … program of which the Garden is a partner. In a few years at garden centers, you may be able to buy a new cultivar of bright, low spring phlox that had its start in the beds you can now easily …
Type: Plant Info
… year with the addition of spring bulbs that provide clumps of delicate flowers—and not just in May, but in February. Yes, now is the time to start planning and planting for an uplifting … of daffodils and other bulbs, the winter may not seem that long. Here are a few favorites to buy and plant now through October. You’ll find more (and can buy them) at the Garden’s Fall Bulb Festival. Daffodils (Narcissus) Daffodils offer nearly …
Type: Plant Info
