… see growing along our roadside ditches? It’s called common reed ( Phragmites australis ), and in recent years this highly invasive plant has spread through the Chicago region at an alarming … and alters nutrient cycling. Looks can be deceiving—the common reed appears innocuous enough; in fact, to the naked eye, it is almost identical to native Phragmites that have been part of the North American landscape for some 40,000 years. Native Americans in the southwest used the fibrous native plant in woven mats, musical instruments, and weapons. …
Type: Plant Info
… In the classic, snow-filled landscape of deep winter, there are many images of great beauty — … when the air is clear and calm, and the sun gleams off the snow, it's time to take pleasure in the private world of plants in winter. What better place to seek out those winter-white showoffs than the Dwarf Conifer …
Type: Walks
… Spring is the time to start seeds—especially for the veggies and herbs that thrive in summer's heat. Tomatoes. Peppers. Onions. Basil. Parsley. They're some of the most popular plants to grow in Chicago area gardens, and they're the main ingredients for the tomato sauces that you'll can … do I plant the seed? How long does it take to sprout? You'll learn that tomatoes can germinate in just a few days, while peppers take longer; that basil shouldn't be transplanted until …
Type: Plant Info
… Whether you garden in pots or window boxes on a cozy balcony or deck, in beds surrounding a patio, or on a sprawling suburban lot, the gardener’s goal is often the … peaceful retreat—one where you can relax, meditate, read, enjoy a meal, write your thoughts in a journal, birdwatch, or just daydream. (Avid gardeners take note: it’s o.k. to take a break …
Type: Plant Info
… Winter once brought a dependable rhythm: cold settled in, snow piled up, and plants took a seasonal rest. But in northern Illinois, that rhythm is shifting. Winters are warming, shrinking, and becoming less … heavy snowfalls, but those moments no longer define the season. “Warmer temperatures result in fewer days with snowfall and fewer days where temperatures dip below freezing,” said Amy Iler, …
Type: Blog
… height of 2 feet. It requires full sun or partial shade and moderate moisture conditions. In late summer and early fall, the plant produces red blooms that are attractive to birds and butterflies. It is useful in a border. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… small by Cymbidium standards. Like it's larger cousins, it requires a distinct cooling period in fall in order to set the flower buds for winter blooms. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This dwarf dahlia cultivar was introduced in 1948 and features a prolific number of single-mignon form dark pink flowers from mid-summer … fall. The size and number of flowers makes it a good choice for window boxes and containers in full sun when kept moderately moist. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Massive dinnerplate sized pure white flowers appear in late September and extend up to the first hard frosts of winter. The flowers are said to glow in the moonlight, bringing an oft-overlooked time to enjoy gardens. Insects and hummingbirds find …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This bulb can form a clump of 1½ feet high and 2 feet wide. It blooms in late summer to early fall with fragrant, airy umbels of white florets. Its foliage is also fragrant and edible. It prefers well-drained loams in full sun. Alliums are deer resistant. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
