… and bloom from late May into June. The flowers are followed by noticeable black pods. This is a valued and conspicuous plant of our native prairies. Its refined appearance makes it equally … home in formal gardens. Taxonomists have been revising the nomenclature of this genus, and it is also listed as Baptisia alba var. macrophylla and more recently Baptisia lactea . Members of … as wild or false indigo due to their use by early Americans as a blue dye. Although "indigo" is in the common name, the blooms of native species may be blue, yellow or white and the blooms …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Salix matsudana 'Golden Curls', or Snake Willow, is a lovely small willow tree with a weeping corkscrew growth habit. Although the trunk and … with snow are delightful. This tree, when leafless, looks amazing with garden lighting. This is a fast growing tree and will reach 20 feet high and wide with in a few years. It is a fun bit of living sculpture for a garden, but be sure to give it enough sun and space to …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This plant is a type of willow tree that has stems that are bright green in the winter time, even when it … osier willow can grow to about sixteen feet tall and about eight feet wide but this tree is usually coppiced (cut back very severely in late winter) so that it stays at about six to … snow. Planting with red osier dogwoods and blue spruces would enhance this effect. This willow is also suitable for using as a living fence, where canes are planted a foot apart but at right …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Ketaurah James VeggieRx Manager, Windy City Harvest For Ketaurah James, her job is more than just a job: She grew up in North Lawndale, where Windy City Harvest’s Farm on Ogden … to provide them with fresh boxes of fruits and vegetables, and nutrition education, such as on-site demos. We distribute more than 15,000 VeggieRx boxes to more than 2,000 families annually. … plants that call our space home. In honor of The Orchid Show: Magnified , open through March 26, 2023, we chatted with one of the people who see the show through from vision to reality. …
Type: Blog
… In a discussion of ivy, it is important to distinguish between English ivy, the trailing or vining plant form belonging to … ), the vine often found growing on brick houses, as well as Wrigley Field. English ivy is a truly versatile plant. It is used as a ground cover, in topiary displays, in hanging … and cigarette smoke. Ivy is easily propagated by cuttings taken in the fall. Rooting is quick when the cuttings are planted in a peat and sand mixture or a ready-mixed potting compost. …
Type: Plant Info
… and teachers by offering some simple ideas for studying plants. A no-brainer botany project is testing germination of radish seeds in different conditions. Radish seeds are easy to acquire, inexpensive, large enough to see and pick up with your fingers, and quick to germinate under normal conditions. Testing germination does not take weeks, doesn't require a lot of room, and is easy to measure—just count the seeds that sprout! To set up a seed germination experiment, use …
Type: Blog
… The most common tree in the Chicago area is from Europe—and that’s bad news for our native plants and animals. Introduced to the United … an area, almost nothing can grow under it. Photos by Jim Steffen and Matt Evans. Why buckthorn is bad for native plants and animals The plants and animals of our native woodlands, wetlands, … hinders the growth of other plants. The chemical can linger in the soil even after buckthorn is removed and can harm frogs and other amphibians. Seeding success – Buckthorn seeds have a high …
Type: Blog
… Madame Dahlia, like her name, is a very stately dame; Her family is so polite, it is a joy to meet them, quite. —Elizabeth … varieties. Their perfect petal arrangement dazzles. The American Dahlia Society recognizes 14 official classes with names describing the flower form—including cactus, collarette, orchid, … Dahlia Demands Plants that produce such show-stopping flowers do have demands. A full-sun site is best, but some afternoon shade will be tolerated. Dahlias prefer rich soil, amended with …
Type: Plant Info
… several areas of crabgrass. How should I deal with this? A: Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is an annual weed that germinates in midspring and gradually colonizes bare spots in the lawn … a crop of seeds and dying off in the late summer. The first line of defense against crabgrass is to minimize the opportunities for it to proliferate by maintaining a healthy lawn through … takes place when the soil temperature consistently reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which is typically in late April or early May in northern Illinois. Several synthetic pre-emergence …
Type: Plant Info
… winter—whether it’s snow, ice, temperature swings, or the products used to combat the weather—is the chief task. Indoors, houseplants may need some TLC, as do many of the holiday-centric … and don’ts Light pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs can be done this month. Heavy pruning is best done in late winter or very early spring before buds break. Protect evergreens from heavy … can also be difficult to see without a hand lens. Scale: Characteristic sticky, clear honeydew is produced on leaves by these small, immobile, rounded insects usually found on stems and veins …
Type: Plant Info
