… weather-tolerant landscapes that can adapt to both drought and occasional flooding. Start with the Soil While Illinois rainfall ranges from 30 to 50 inches a year, it rarely falls evenly … bone-dry weather. Easy steps that help plants to survive both heavy rainfall and drought begin with the soil. Adding partially decomposed organic matter will improve most any kind of soil. … moisture to penetrate deeper. And the very same organic matter makes it easier for naturally fast-draining sandy soils to retain more life-sustaining moisture. Adding a layer of organic …
Type: Plant Info
… If you want to keep your garden bursting with color from spring through fall, there's one simple habit to pick up: deadheading. … of the garden and keeps plants looking vigorous and healthy. Deadheading zinnia Start with these bloomers Not every plant needs deadheading, but many common annuals benefit … peas, delphiniums, calendulas, poppies, feverfew, and roses, Sherwood said. “These are all fast bloomers,” she said. “They’ll keep producing flowers if you keep removing the old ones.” …
Type: Blog
… vegetables . She willingly supported my quest and enthusiastically discussed the details with me. The process seemed fairly straightforward after we settled on which varieties to graft … a tomato enthusiast who attended our annual Seed Swap this past February. Our rootstock has excellent resistance to common tomato diseases: AS (alternaria stem canker), F2 (fusarium wilt), … a tomato enthusiast who attended our annual Seed Swap this past February. Our rootstock has excellent resistance to common tomato diseases: AS (alternaria stem canker), F2 (fusarium wilt), …
Type: Page
… Achillea 'Strawberry Seduction' has strawberry-red flowers with gold centers clustered together in large flat-topped flower heads 2 to 4 inches across. It … As the flowers age, they fade to buff yellow. This is a compact plant 18 to 24 inches high with gray- green, fernlike foliage. It is a member of the SEDUCTION™ Series from the … and resistant to deer, rabbits, and drought. This is a favorite cut flower and is also excellent as a dried flower. The genus name Achillea is in reference to Achilles, hero of the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… 'Lilac Beauty' has small rosy lilac flowers packed together in large flat topped flowerheads. With age, the color fades to a pink lilac. The stems stand 24 “tall with gray green fernlike foliage. It does best in full sun and blooms from early summer to early … while resistant to deer, rabbits and drought. This is a favorite as a cut flower and is also excellent as a dried flower. The genus name Achillea is in reference to Achilles, hero of the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… 'Fooled Me' daylily has golden bronze blooms with a deep red eye and matching crimped pie crust edging on the petals. The 5 ½” flowers last 16 … grow and does well in full sun to part shade. 'Fooled Me' is considered a "designer" daylily with exceptional bloom performance, vibrant flowers and excellent winter hardiness. It had been awarded the Stout Silver Medal Award in 2005. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Smokey Dawn’ is a Tall Bearded Iris which blooms in mid season. The falls are a soft lavender with distinctive brown ruffled edges. The standards are the same, but the colors are subdued. The … is a hint of a gold line at the edge of the falls. Great Smokey Dawn stands 40 inches high with branched stems which have 8 to 9 buds each. It is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds while resistant to rabbits and deer and is an excellent cut flower. Iris is the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow. The classic ‘Fleur de …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Lilium 'Claude Shride' has dark-red flowers with yellow-orange spots and no fragrance. The flowers face downward, and the deeply recurved … plants surrounding the lilies will help protect their roots from drying out. Lilies make an excellent cut flower with long-lasting blooms and buds that continue to mature and open after cutting. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… the Chicago area. The showy cultivars are not reliably hardy in Chicago-area gardens but are excellent selections for summer annual displays. It is deer and rabbit resistant. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Horticultural therapy has proven benefits for individuals with autism. The integration of horticultural therapy and therapy gardens within health and human service agencies has grown exponentially in recent years. In senior centers, gardening and garden … their own hands. The integration of gardens and garden-based activities in health and human service agencies is expanding year after year. If you know an individual or organization who …
Type: Blog
