… The royal paintbrush ( Haemanthus albiflos ) is native to southern Africa, where it can be found in a range of habitats from temperate … stamens and the light-colored bracts. In the Chicago area, royal paintbrush requires a frost-free environment. Few pests are attracted to this species; spider mites might be a concern, but …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… inches tall in late spring andearly summer. Each spike can carry between 20 and 80 flowers. It is one of the few North American native bulbs that are widely available for gardeners to plant that thrive in moist to wet soils. Free of most insect and disease pests, this taxon will flower well in full sun or partially shaded conditions. The genus Camassia is derived from a Native American name for this group of plants, "quamash." All five species in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q. I would like to grow asparagus. How do I get started? A. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable crop that can be planted as soon as the ground is workable in the spring. Before planting, amend the soil with plenty of compost and apply a …
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 … 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 be grown from seed indoors while others, … flowers or fruits form). Some seedlings can’t be 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, …
Type: Plant Info
… Aloe 'Blue elf' is hardy dwarf succulent in zones 9-11, in the Chicago area it would need to be taken inside during the winter. It is drought tolerant and happy in full sun. This cultivar is noted for its attractive linear gray … change color with sun exposure. In less than full sun they will be blue green, in sun you will get pink highlights. Its attractive spike like inflorescence of coral flowers is very attractive …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… coveted late summer bouquet, but the cut flowers never last long—we set out to discover how to get enduring blooms. Hydrangeas we tested, from left to right: smashed stem, Quick Dip, plant … asked the Garden’s horticulturists for advice before our experiment. “The smashing of the end is an old-fashioned means to open capillaries to get more water uptake,” said exhibits … help reduce transpiration and increase bloom longevity.” Know this: Sticky resin clogs the cut site When you cut a hydrangea bloom, the plant produces a sticky resin at the cut site that will …
Type: Blog
Upright golden branches gracefully swirl as if pulled by a vortex on this small statured hardy evergreen. Filtered light will keep the golden foliage from getting sunburned. Well drained but consistently moist soils are …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Aromatic Herbs Aromatic herbs are among the best tools from Mother Nature that help us conquer weary nerves and cabin fever. Breathing in the rich scent of herbal teas containing lemon verbena, lavender, or spearmint relaxes our minds by reminding us of the sweet, earthy flavors that abound in our summer herb gardens. Humans have long understood that the leaves, fruits, flowers, and roots are the …
Type: Page
… Viva Vita Pride Month is a time to honor the history and voices of the LGBTQIA+ community—which makes me, a plant … nature. As people explore the gardens, they will often find a peaceful “room of their own” to get away and reflect. Sissinghurst Castle Garden (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons ) Even in … mirrors Woolf’s famous work, A Room of One's Own , which argues that women need a space, free from outside social influences, to express their voices. We have come to realize that …
Type: Blog
… This cultivar is smaller than other horse chestnuts (less than 30 feet). It has small, white flowers in dainty … tolerate some shade and has medium soil and water requirements. It should be noted that this is a taprooted tree which makes it difficult to transplant and will cause it to take a long time to get established. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
