… are part of every garden. Because bee populations continue to decline, and because September is National Honey Month…we dedicate this Smart Gardener to the story of how bees actually produce … make honey, which tastes delicious! But what happens between the flowers and the honey jar is utterly fascinating—and it may make you think differently about how you garden. Honey starts with nectar Plants produce the sugary secretion called nectar to attract bees. Nectar is bee food: specifically, it provides the carbohydrates that bees need. While searching for and …
Type: Plant Info
… are intimidated by growing roses, and the idea of incorporating ecofriendly techniques is just another thorn in their sides. Nothing could be further from the truth! Rose care requires work, but it is straightforward, the rewards are rich, and many "green" tips make the work easier, are less … for your garden. The Basics The dirt on roses. The first step to ensuring gorgeous roses is making sure your soil is healthy. You can arrange to have your soil assessed , or do it …
Type: Plant Info
… or more weeds (like ragweed and nutsedge) than usual, you’re not alone. Although spring is a popular time for lawn renovation, fall is even better. Summer’s heat and drought have ended and the cooler temperatures and warm sun and soil help grass seed germinate quickly. This is a good time to assess your carpet of green. Common Lawn Problems Brown patches and ring …
Type: Plant Info
… love to watch spring unfold in gardens everywhere—but at the Chicago Botanic Garden, my heart is in the water. As the Woman’s Board Curator of Aquatics, I like to point out the signs of … a short, curious-looking purple flower. The Budburst plant app would tell you that the plant is a prairie wildflower known as prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) —the flower really does look like … farther downslope, you might see another short flower, this one vibrant yellow. This plant is marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and should not be confused with the insidious invader lesser …
Type: Blog
… make for happier and healthier plants all year long. Another important benefit of composting is having less landscape debris transported to landfills, making composting an easy way to green your gardening practices. Dig and Divide Late summer into early fall is a good time to dig up and divide perennials that have outgrown their space in your landscape … daylily underperforming in shade or a hosta with leaves that scorch in summer sun? Now is also a great time to move perennials that are not growing in ideal conditions, or to install …
Type: Plant Info
… offered in a bag of mixed seed, you'll see many different birds gathering at the feeder. This is the seed of choice for many because it's reasonably priced and does the job, but unfortunately … rarely eaten and lie scattered under the feeder. To keep things neater, a pricey alternative is a "no-waste" mix, which offers hulled peanuts, sunflower seeds, white millet, and corn pieces, … from yews are loved by many birds, and a thick yew hedge is an example of a good nesting site. Oaks attract about 300 different species of insects, and their nuts are favored by blue …
Type: Plant Info
… in a light soilless mixture. Water the bulb thoroughly once, then again only when the soil mix is dry to the touch. Amaryllis bulbs can tolerate dryness but not soggy conditions. Place the … flowers will last for weeks. Place the plant in a cool area and water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Avoid splashing water on the leaves. Fertilize with a dilute 10-10-10 … the soil evenly moist and punch holes in foil liners to allow for proper drainage. If the soil is allowed to dry, the plants will wilt and lose leaves. However, saturated soil conditions can …
Type: Plant Info
… the autumn palette, especially when it announces itself gradually, very gradually. Change is good, we say, as we bid farewell to lavender, frothy pink, cerise, and soft yellow, and … pleasantly with the richer, darkening tones of the landscape, and their delicacy of blossom is quite irresistible. Autumn windflower, Japanese anemone, and fall-blooming anemone are common … them. They do tolerate partial shade but not poor drainage, whether in summer or winter, so site your plants carefully. Their bare, round stems are often compared to waving wands with …
Type: Plant Info
… the Visitor Center to the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center While it is true that prime fall color occurs at the Garden during the first two weeks of October, it is also true that there is a nonstop fall show that spans a much longer period of time, late … ablaze in green and orange. Closer to you on the path, don't miss the bright red sour gums, quick to change once cool nights prevail. On the eastern or left-hand side of the road is a …
Type: Walks
… that emerges in spring. Tree and Shrub Care Pruning tips Weather permitting, late February is an ideal time to heavily prune large woody plants that are fully dormant. The absence of … amounts of water, such as elms, maples, and birches. Prune these trees only when the weather is consistently cold and the plants are fully dormant, if possible. As always, immediately prune … evergreens require little pruning. But because evergreens bleed heavily when pruned, this task is best done in the winter months when they are not in active growth. Juniper ( Juniperus ) can …
Type: Plant Info
