… 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
… shrubs. Regardless of what kind of garden might be hidden in the backyard, the front was sure to contain at least one old-fashioned shrub: lilac, mock orange, spirea, weigela, or honeysuckle. … your year-round garden: Aesculus parviflora (bottlebrush buckeye) A dense, spreading, 8- to 10-foot shrub that produces pinky white, brushlike flowers on 1- to 2-foot upright stems in … with highly fragrant white or pink flowers. Its suckering habit makes it a good candidate for naturalistic sites. Heptacodium miconioides (seven-son-flower) The tallest of the group, it …
Type: Plant Info
… ) was given a species name early in the eighteenth century, before it was recognized—thanks to DNA analysis—as representing a hybrid swarm* between Aloe ferox and Aloe arborescens . … the smaller-maturing species make exceptional container plants, but this species matures at 8 to 10 feet in height and produces enormous, branched, candelabra-like inflorescences. Unfortunately, this plant requires a container too large and heavy for most Chicago-area gardeners to move indoors in the fall to escape winter's freezing …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… is an oak of many common names -- Durmast, Irish, Welsh, Cornish and sessile. While related to the English oak ( Quercus robur ), the Sessile oak has long-stalked leaves and almost … The genus Quercus includes more than 600 species of the oak tree, of which 90 are native to North America; the Chicago Botanic Garden's collection contains more than 60 varieties and … (biennial). Oaks are often imposing shade trees at maturity and provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Northern catalpa or catawba tree ( Catalpa speciosa ) is known for the long, thin fruit pods that resemble cigars, which give it its other common name, "cigar … sends forth an amazing show of trumpet-shaped blossoms — white with purple stripes and red to yellow spots inside — in long panicles of 10 to 30 blooms. The pollinated blooms then begin the process of transformation into long, thin, …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… also sold as 'Album', is a naturally occurring white form of this fragrant species, native to the northern provinces of China. It is one of the treasures made available to gardeners through the efforts of Reginald Farrer, British plant explorer extraordinaire, but … 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
… its pinkish buds and fragrant flowers emerge before the foliage in April and are subject to being nipped by frost. The protected spot it has along the Viburnum Walk means a chance to enjoy its fragrant pink buds and white flowers. Viburnums are a versatile genus of … 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
… Giant ironweed is a perennial plant that is native to the eastern parts of the US where it grows in locations that are consistently moist. It bears smallish bright purple flowers large bracts in late summer to mid-fall providing an unusual pop of tall color in the late season. Giant ironweed grows to a … conducted at the Chicago Botanic Garden, this form of giant ironweed received a good rating for growing in local conditions. This particular ironweed shares its common name with Vernonia …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This native of the Caucasian mountains waits until fall to send up its spires of blue-violet flowers with their white hearts. It's bushier than most … monks. They attract a variety of butterflies and moths, and are the primary food source for Old World bees. Another common name, wolfbane, refers to the poison made from this plant's roots, which was used to tip hunting arrows. Medicinal (and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… that are not the same as the weedy honeysuckles in the genus Lonicera, but they are related to weigelas. They can be recognized the opposite, toothed leaves along slender twigs and clusters … the flowers. The fruit is a dry capsule with long filaments. Diervilla sessilifolia , native to the Southeast, named for the very short petioles on the leaves, is also distinguished by four thin ridges running …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
