… ‘Gingerbread’ is a spreading, 9’-10’ tall shrub that grows in sun to partial shade and is noted for its early blooms, starting in February, as soon as temperatures rise above around 40 degrees … the petals will curl up and then open again when warmer temperatures return. Large oval to round leaves are initially a medium to dark green with maroon tints, then a dark green before …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… moment occurred in the Semitropical Greenhouse this morning, as a fascinated crowd gathered to see what was happening with Spike, the titan arum. On Saturday, it was determined that Spike … the floriculturist who had raised Spike from a seed, peeked inside the frilly spathe to check for pollen. “If there had been pollen, it would have been all over my hand,” Still said. Pollen’s … and director, explains Spike’s spathe to a young visitor. For more information please visit our titan arum page . …
Type: Blog
… Persistence can be a good trait for prairie plants. Take this tale of the return of the Hill’s thistle ( Cirsium hillii ) to the Dixon Prairie at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I’m the assistant ecologist for the natural … prefers drier prairies with less competition from taller plants. A number of species of bees visit and pollinate this plant. The plant is believed to be monocarpic, which means the plant …
Type: Blog
… When our daughter was growing up, we wanted to teach her about the cycles of nature and, in the process, maybe sneak some science in there. This naturally led to the reasons the seasons occur in terms of planetary motions, and this led to discussions of … of the year. To end our celebration, we turn back on our lights and heat, and we are thankful for this too. It can be soothing to take cues from the cycles of nature. On this winter solstice, …
Type: Blog
… Consider applying fertilizer this month to trees or shrubs that have not received any fertilizer this year and/or have demonstrated need — for example, stunted growth, failure to fully flower or leaf out, undersized fruit, off-color foliage, recovery from disease, or …
Type: Plant Info
… originating from the growing tip of the cane (pseudobulb). This section of Dendrobium is known for having small black hairs on the undersides of leaves and the canes. Grow in bright light, high humidity, water frequently during the growth phase (summer) and reduce to merely keeping the roots moist in winter. The orchid family consists of a large number of … and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most orchids tend to prefer a semitropical or tropical environment (USDA …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Valley') is a small, bright-orange-flowered orchid of the Epidendrum genus with a yellow blush to the lip. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, epidendrum orchids can be found in … well as steamy jungles or cloud forests. All reed stem epidendrums need bright light, however, for strong, sturdy growth and maximum flower production. The orchid family consists of a large … and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most orchids tend to prefer a semi-tropical or tropical environment (USDA …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… in height. Full sun, warm but not hot temperatures, humidity, and well-drained soil are key to a homeowner's success with this plant. The size makes this orchid ideal for windowsills. The orchid family consists of a large number of genera, each with its own unique … and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most orchids tend to prefer a semi-tropical or tropical environment (USDA …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The foliage of Spaeth’s Purple Beech emerges as a metallic purple that matures to a green-purple and changes to a copper color in the fall. A wide range of cultivars of the European beech have been developed, many of which are eye-catching show stoppers for their shape (weeping, columnar or rounded) or foliage color (green, variegated, purple or …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The shining or hedge cotoneaster is a northern Asia native notable for its lustrous foliage. It can tolerate a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained. … pinkish white blooms that appear in mid-spring and attract bees. The foliage turns yellow to red in the fall. Berries ripen to black in the fall as well and remain on the shrub for most of winter. Members of the genus …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
