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  • … during a long flowering period. In the more southern parts of its range, sweetbay magnolia is evergreen but it may lose all or most of its leaves during the winters in the Chicagoland area. This species is one of the few magnolias that will tolerate swampy conditions. Members of the genus Magnolia … color, the Magnolia palette also includes white, yellows and purples. Another dominant feature is a prominent fruiting body of small follicles forming a cone-like shape. The species range from …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … with a pleasant fragrance adorn Wada's Memory magnolia hybrid in early spring. This cultivar is known for blooming at an early age when the distinctive upright growth habit of the lateral branches is most pronounced. With age the lateral branches become more horizontal in habit and the overall … color, the Magnolia palette also includes white, yellows and purples. Another dominant feature is a prominent fruiting body of small follicles forming a cone-like shape. The species range from …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … semi-forested areas of Central America, firespike bush ( Odontonema strictum ‘Panama Purple’) is a showy tropical shrub with sparse, stiff branches that grow straight up to about 6 feet. It … tubular flowers; the two-lipped, symmetrical individual flowers are about 1-inch long. It is one of the few such showy flowers to bloom in autumn. The firespike bush is very popular with hummingbirds and all kinds of butterflies. Unfortunately, deer also love …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon' is a smaller-statured dawn redwood with gold tints to the foliage. It is suitable for small to mid-sized home landscapes, where a full-size tree would be overwhelming. The genus Metasequoia is derived from the Greek meta (with) and Sequoia. It shares the same plant family as the bald …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Strange, but true. This beautiful garden of edible plants is as much of a pleasurable stroll garden as any of the more traditional spaces, like the English … ways by which the fruit and vegetable display gardens are distinguished from farm gardens is through the sophisticated use of hardscape, e.g., trellises, arbors, brick and stone walls, … plants, and these methods, yourself. Vertical Gardens Elevate Eyes and Plants Growing “up” is one way to create additional garden space. The grape arbor serves many purposes: it provides a …
    Type: Walks
  • … are in the stores, but don’t put away your trowel, shovel, hose or clippers just yet. Autumn is another great time for planting and many garden centers have a fresh inventory of trees, … annuals and fall-themed containers.   Advantages of Fall Planting In spring, the soil is typically very cold and often soggy, but then air temperatures suddenly soar and drought … the topmost roots spread outward. The flare should be slightly above the soil. If the flare is buried, it can result in rotting bark, disease and pest problems, and girdling roots. Better …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … June is the month of total abundance in the rose garden, even if your garden contains only one rose. … old fashioned heirlooms, or even the tiniest of the miniature roses, gardeners know this is the month they all come into bloom. Some might say it is a cruel twist of floral fate to have all this excess in one month. For the gardener who …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … What the Garden Is Doing…and What You Can Do at Home Safeguarding Long-term Survival Environmental threats like … By banking seeds of these plants in safe storage, away from danger, the Chicago Botanic Garden is working to safeguard their long-term survival. Also known as ex-situ (offsite) conservation, seed banking native species guards against their disappearance in the wild and is an important way to conserve plant diversity. Climate change occurred naturally over …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … and pine needles (see recipe, right). “Rich in antioxidants and uplifting essential oils, pine is the perfect winter ally to awaken the senses and enhance winter wellness,” says Petter, owner … oil with marshmallow root to use for winter hydration (see recipe, right). “Marshmallow root is soothing, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory,” she says. Tip: You can buy small amounts of dried, cut-and-sifted marshmallow root at an herbal shop or online at a site such as Jean’s Greens.   Tea While gathering with family and friends, you might pick up a …
    Type: Blog
  • … Friday, May 6, 2016 National Public Gardens Day is a day to honor and draw attention to our nation's public gardens. Visit the American Public …
    Type: Event for Calendar