… At the top of the list of why we garden is for the joy it brings. Yes, there is the effort of physical labor, and true, some plants … angle and intensity of sunlight differ in early spring and midsummer, as well as from morning to afternoon. Is it possible to limb up the lower branches of existing trees to bring in more … buying a tree or shrub with many cultivars (crab apple, for example), be sure the cultivar you buy is disease- and insect-resistant. Some nurseries continue to sell older varieties that have …
Type: Plant Info
… Q: How can I overwinter coleus plants so I don’t have to buy new ones each spring? A: The easiest method is to pot up stem cuttings. Most growers and home gardeners use this method in late fall to …
Type: Plant Info
… The start of the new year is an ideal time for homeowners to begin making plans for enhancing their garden's beauty. As … way to enjoy fresh flowers is to grow a cutting garden from seed. For around $20 you can buy a collection of seeds for a summer's worth of flowering annuals that make excellent …
Type: Plant Info
… One of the most delightful and perhaps underused smaller trees is the native American pawpaw ( Asimina triloba ). Large, dangling leaves give the plant a … during their explorations. Thomas Jefferson planted the trees at Monticello and sent the seeds to Europe. And, indigenous people from the East Coast to the Midwest relied on the fall fruits as an important part of their diet. The pawpaws’ growing …
Type: Plant Info
… Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden. Photo by Nick Dorian. The Chicago Botanic Garden is developing clear, science-backed guidance to make it easy to support pollinators. Declines in pollinators like bumblebees and butterflies … building demonstration gardens, interactive tools, and educational programs, PLUG will share best practices and plant recommendations that meet community needs. The program will inspire …
Type: Page
… The Garden's plant exploration program provides critical information in the worldwide effort to protect and preserve plants, while benefiting from their remarkable and diverse qualities. … Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, and Arkansas. The Garden is a participant in two plant-collecting groups—the North American Consortium for Plant … of plants from other regions and countries here at the Garden. In this quest to identify the best sites, Garden staff analyze a number of factors, including the following: Precipitation …
Type: Page
… and yes, there's still snow on the ground. Yet smart gardeners know that now is the time to plan for fall color in your garden. Nurseries and garden centers start receiving and … tall), the better to show off tall, wand-like flower stalks covered in rosy pink flowers. Best of all, the flowers bloom continuously, early summer straight through fall, and dry in place … over grey-green foliage, they give way to peach-colored seedheads. 16 to 18 inches, tall, 26 to 28 inches wide Firecracker sedum ( Sedum 'Firecracker') smolders with intense burgundy-red …
Type: Plant Info
… As eager as we all are to dig in the dirt and putter in the yard, there are some planting decisions that we mustn't rush … in. The test will measure the soil's pH as well as the amount of organic matter present. It's best not to amend or fertilize their soil before they know what they've got. If test results … from that program is always a good idea. Log on to Illinois' Best Plants on the Garden's website for additional detailed information, including color photographs. Try to avoid weedy or …
Type: Plant Info
… a drawer or door front, this collection of dried plant leaves, flowers, seeds, and barks is a must-have in American kitchens: full spice racks are prized as wedding gifts and easy-to-access spice drawers are de rigueur in kitchen remodels. Spices and herbs are every cook's … the bottle. Most major brands have them. General rules of thumb: Herbs (marjoram, chives) are best used within one year. Ground spices (allspice, cinnamon, etc.) start to lose aroma after 12 …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What is the best way to save seeds? A. Open pollinated or heirloom varieties are best for saving. Seeds from hybrid varieties should not be collected because they will not come …
Type: Plant Info
