… Growers Association of Northern Illinois formed to promote plant cultivars that perform well in northern Illinois. This variety was developed at the Morton Arboretum from seed collected in China during the 1920s. Members of the genus Syringa , commonly known as lilacs, are shrubs or small trees prized for their showy and fragrant blooms in late spring. The individual flowers are tubular in form and are borne in large panicles. While …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… yellow blotch on the lip and have a faint " Cattleya orchid" fragrance. Grow this plant in high light, temperatures, and humidity in well-drained orchid potting media. The orchid family consists of a large number of genera, … the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals—often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Light yellow lip and petals are edged in lavender pink on this fragrant relative of cattleya orchids. Grow in bright light, high humidity and very well drained soils for best repeat bloom. The orchid … the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals—often in dramatic and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to fill out the garden. The lawn is actively growing, too. However, this month is a study in contrast, before and after the final frost date for the Chicago region’s USDA Hardiness Zones … herbs, proceed with caution if cold temperatures or frost are predicted, especially at night. In May, it pays to be patient and flexible. Garden To-Do List Harden off warm-season plants Begin … vegetables, and herbs in a single container, plants should have similar growing needs, e.g., shade plants, full-sun plants, drought-tolerant plants, etc. Be water-wise Monitor annual …
Type: Plant Info
… buds are set. Monitor roses for insects and diseases. Check daily for black spot, especially in wet weather. Do not handle rosebushes if foliage is wet and infected. Wait until leaves have … strong stream of water on damaged foliage to remove pests. June One application of fertilizer in the spring is usually sufficient for species roses such as Rosa rugosa and shrub roses. All other roses should be given their second application of a well-balanced fertilizer in mid-June or after their initial bloom period. July Fertilize roses for the third and final …
Type: Plant Info
… spans a much longer period of time, late summer to late autumn, achieving a crescendo of color in those peak weeks of October. Just as they understand the fickle weather in our town, gardeners know better than to try to predict the date the Japanese maples will light … blend of orange, green, and red. Nature guards those secrets. We leaf-peepers can only watch in wonder. The Perfect Ingredients for Fall Color For maximum fall color, a tree must be …
Type: Walks
… that will help them improve their own gardens. Staff Favorites Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, is immersed in garden history this winter. She’s reading The History of Horticulture in America to 1860 by U.P. Hedrick. “It’s all about gardening, fruit growing, and viticulture,” …
Type: Plant Info
… Ring in the holidays with an idea that smart gardeners can appreciate: do-it-yourself wreaths made … The Garden’s own “Martha,” program horticulturist Nancy Clifton, made several of the wreaths in Krehbiel Gallery and offers up three basic ideas for a single-subject wreath. Forage collection Forage in your yard and neighborhood all year long. You’ll be surprised by the diversity of pine cones, …
Type: Plant Info
… roses and late-season clematis. But for sheer drama, nothing steals the show like a dahlia. In its home in Mexico, the dahlia’s flower grew no larger than 1 to 2 inches across. But when the plant spread to Europe in the 1800s, the Dutch breeders got to work and began their hybridizing magic. Today, dahlias …
Type: Plant Info
… January ushers in the deep winter when arctic winds howl and the temperatures plummet. Any day could bring a … is the season when our gardens sleep and gardeners dream of spring. Perusing seed catalogs in print or online provides inspiration—it's hard to resist photos of juicy red tomatoes, giant … can be grown from seed indoors while others, such as carrots and beans, are sown directly in the garden. Get Started To grow seeds indoors, you'll need a few bags of seed-starting or …
Type: Plant Info
