… of what once covered northeastern Illinois and much of the Midwest? Or, maybe what compels us to walk the Prairie in fall, when it’s at its prime, is a desire to pay respect to the land and reconnect with our own heritage. For whatever reason one walks in the Prairie this season, it will delight all—children, …
Type: Walks
… cross between ‘Allegheny’ and the Manchurian viburnum ( V. burejaeticum ). This shrub can grow to a height of 8’ with a similar spread. Abundant white flowers in early May give way to fruits that ripen to a bright red in late summer then turn black in the fall. Fall foliage is … home landscape due to their range of sizes and cultural adaptability. Some viburnums are noted for their fragrant flowers; most bear small fruit that may add visual interest. Many viburnums …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This member of the Actaea or bugbane family is particularly prized for it remarkably dark purple, almost black foliage. In late summer, bugbanes develop tall flower spires with heavily scented flowers that are repellent (or a bane) to bugs. In fact, in earlier times, they were used to repel bed bugs. 'Hillside Black Beauty' is a shade-loving plant that forms a clump about 2-3 …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Montrose Ruby Alumroot is used primarily for its striking foliage. At maturity it will form a leafy mound 15 inches tall. The leaves are a dark red to purple and frosted between the veins with a silver cast. The foliage is prone to bleaching in full sun and would be most attractive in full to part shade. The white foamy …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… of catnip? This plant is a type of catnip, although how much your cat may like catnip appears to vary. Cool Cat catmint is a clump-forming perennial that grows to a height of 30 inches with full sun to partial shade and moderate moisture conditions. In … in the fall. It is resistant to deer. Because of its clumping growth habit it is suitable for cottage gardens and perennial borders. It will self-seed however so care should be take when …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… some 12-inch-long soft strings of light-colored yarn put out by humans, she may snatch them to make her nest. A common breeding bird of open woodlands, natural spaces, gardens, and … northern South America. By May, Baltimore orioles have arrived in the eastern United States to set up breeding territories. To get her attention, the male hops around the female, spreads … lucky enough to see an oriole nest will most likely agree. It can take a week to ten days for the female to complete her nest. She’ll then lay three to seven pale eggs blotched with …
Type: Birding
… species that affect the Chicago area today. Although invasive species are almost always new to an area, it’s not a plant or animal’s origin that makes them invasive—it’s their impact. Invasive species spread widely as they out-compete local native species for resources like food, water, light, and space, and can eventually damage entire landscapes. … and beyond. Most of the plants and animals that people deliberately or accidentally move to new locations don’t cause major problems, but the ones that do can threaten water and food …
Type: Blog
… small, heart-shaped, marbled green and creamy-white leaves growing on wiry stems. It is great for topiaries or climbing brick walls. Filtered light and moderate amounts of water are needed. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… make three packaged gift sets, so they will come home with 12 products. These will be perfect to give for holiday gifts. Tamara Mannelly, M.Ed., HHC, certified healing foods specialist and holistic …
Type: Item Detail
… self-guided walk in McDonald Woods. Stop by the McDonald Woods Shelter from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to learn about winter woodland flora and fauna, then set off on a self-guided trail through the woods. Before or after your walk, warm up by the fire at the McDonald Woods Shelter. Dress for the weather. If the air temperature or wind chill is 20 degrees or less, or if winds exceed …
Type: Event for Calendar
