… Ask any of our horticulturists to name the most important job in their gardens right now and they’ll all answer the same way: "Weeding." In this month's Smart Gardener , we take on the … up where there’s a void in the landscape, where the soil has been disturbed, or where birds and mammals have eliminated the seeds of the fruits they’ve eaten. Weed ruthlessly in spring and early summer, rather than waiting for weeds to grow—they’ll be easier to remove, less likely …
Type: Plant Info
… These considerations include cost of installation, maintenance, as well as the type of roof and load-bearing structure. Planting in containers may be a simple, economical alternative to a … bed. Generally, rooftops are considered to be hostile environments, particularly due to wind and sun exposure. Characteristics of plants appropriate for rooftops include short habit, small leaves, sun and wind tolerance. Plants must also be cold hardy for our region and preferably drought …
Type: Plant Info
… in 1988, has globe-shaped short-petaled flowers 2 inches across in a tasty blend of orange and red. It grows to 4 feet tall with long stems and upright growth. Dahlias are not hardy in the Chicago area, and the tubers must be dug, cleaned, and stored over winter. Plant this dahlia in full sun, in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… resistant to disease by the University of Illinois Extension. The difference between apples and crabapples is the size of the fruit. If the fruit is 2 inches or greater, it is considered an … inches, it is considered a crabapple. While apple fruit trees are generally grown commercially and in quantity as a crop, they can also be grown in the home garden. Special attention to pollination, disease/pest vigilance, and pruning may be required for the trees to thrive and fruit in the home environment. Although …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… ‘Ivory Victory’ is an herbaceous peony with a combination of cream and white double blooms. Reliable, fragrant, and easy to grow, it makes an excellent cut flower. Peony bloom time is classified as early, mid-, and late. ‘Ivory Victory’ is a midseason bloomer. It grows to 34 inches tall, taking on a shrubby …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… flares. Tree peonies often need to settle in for one to two years before producing flowers and, once established, will mature in five to eight years; ‘Lan Hu Die’ grows to 5 feet tall. Plant in sun to part shade with the eyes no more than 2 inches below the soil surface and protect from strong winds and afternoon sun. It is deer resistant. Peonies are popular garden plants, known for their …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Peonies are popular garden plants, known for their stunning flowers, their cold hardiness and the huge variety of their colors, forms and habits. They are divided into two main groups: herbaceous, which die to the ground in the fall, and tree peonies, deciduous plants with woody stems which they retain throughout the winter. A …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Peonies are popular garden plants, known for their stunning flowers, their cold hardiness and the huge variety of their colors, forms and habits. They are divided into two main groups: herbaceous, which die to the ground in the fall, and tree peonies, deciduous plants with woody stems which they retain throughout the winter. A …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… is a classic herbaceous peony with an unforgettable double red bloom. Reliable, vigorous, and abundant, it makes an excellent cut flower. Peony bloom time is classified as early, mid-, and late. ‘Kansas’ is a midseason bloomer. It grows to 3 inches tall, taking on a shrubby … Peonies are popular garden plants, known for their stunning flowers, their cold hardiness and the huge variety of their colors, forms, and habits. They are divided into two main groups: …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Gallicas are probably the earliest roses in cultivation. We know the Greeks and the Romans both cultivated them. Much later, in the 1600's, the Dutch started breeding them, … lilac to wine purple, but with magenta predominating. The flowers are large (4 inches across) and very double. In other words, this rose is a show stopper in bloom. There's no need to deadhead, it doesn't repeat, so you and the birds can enjoy the colorful hips come fall and winter. 'Charles de Mills' is large for …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
