… says Tom Tiddens, supervisor of the Garden’s Plant Health Care department. “Companion planting is an interesting technique and organic growers swear by it, but you need to have all-around good … Aphids Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA , CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Tiddens is big on having plant and environmental diversity in the home landscape. “Rather than using … dry, wet, low-growing plants, taller plants.” Attracting a multitude of different insects is not a bad thing. Beneficial insects come when there’s something for them to eat. “We want to …
Type: Plant Info
… winds howl and the temperatures plummet. Any day could bring a thick layer of snow. This is the season when our gardens sleep and gardeners dream of spring. Perusing seed catalogs in … tomatoes, giant colorful zinnias, or a rainbow of Swiss chard leaves. Growing plants from seed is fun and saves money—where else can you get dozens of plants for a few dollars? Many plants can … placed outdoors until after the last frost-free date. In the Chicago area, that date generally is May 15. If you start your seeds too early, you could end up with spindly plants on your …
Type: Plant Info
… cold to shed her bloom. —Elizabeth Gordon What can give us more hope that the end of winter is near than to see the young shoots of snowdrops (Galanthus spp . ) emerging from the frost-covered ground? We can be well assured that spring is just around the corner by the very sight of their blooms standing out against the melting snow … plant bulbs as soon as they are available in the fall. Place in a sunny or semi-shady site, in moist soil with a large proportion of humus. The site should be well drained, with a …
Type: Plant Info
… bumble bee ( Bombus affinis ), fuzzy and endangered, unseen here before. The rare sighting is a bright thread in a much larger tapestry being rewoven across the region. Once one of the … pollinators, wildlife, and people alike. Bee balm, the flower that drew the bee that day, is one of many resilient native species helping to reweave balance. Its tubular blossoms attract … ) seed pods Bee balm ( Monarda fistulosa ) seeds The Seed Amplification Program is cyclical, beginning with collecting seed from the forest preserves to “amplify” through seed …
Type: Blog
… Description: This wren is most often heard, but may be seen, in wet areas of the Dixon Prairie or along restored …
Type: Birding
… conditions. It has pink and purple blooms in July and August. It belongs in a border and is resistant to deer. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… height of about 4 feet. In the summer it produces pale yellow bracts. It goes in a border and is resistant to deer. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… ‘Gateway’, at 5 feet in height, is shorter and sturdier than the straight species and features mauve-pink flowers that …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… moisture conditions. It has white blooms in March and April. It belongs in a border and is also attractive to birds. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… foliage on this hardy deciduous hibiscus from mid-summer up to the first hard frost. This is a moderately sized cultivar suitable for smaller gardens. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
