… ) is one of the most popular herbs grown today. It is not only a flavorful ingredient in Italian, Chinese, French, and Thai cuisine, but it is also a fragrant, ornamental plant for … Native to Africa and parts of Asia, basil is an extremely tender plant and is one of the first in the garden to succumb to frost. The large succulent leaves will darken and lose their … are quite similar to those of the tomato, and the two plants are often paired together in gardens as they are in the kitchen. When transplanting small plants to the garden, wait until …
Type: Plant Info
… Years ago when life and gardens were simpler, there was a dependable plant often found growing in partially shaded perennial borders. It had a pleasant mounding form, green, lobed leaves, and … known for the striking colors of its foliage as it is for its long lasting flowers. Thanks in part to the aggressive breeding, tissue culture propagation, and plant introduction program of Dan Heims' Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon, there are new coral bells cultivars offered annually. The once green-only foliage is …
Type: Plant Info
… of the insect order called Lepidoptera . There are about 2,000 types of moths and butterflies in Illinois. Of these, about 150 species are butterflies and 1,850 species are moths. Our local … monarch butterflies are known for their incredible mass migration, flying up to 3,000 miles in late summer to their winter home in Mexico. But their numbers have greatly declined due to decreasing winter habitat, loss of …
Type: Plant Info
… 'Dallas Blues'. All varieties of switchgrass are resistant to many pests and plant diseases. In January 2006, President George Bush cited the importance of research into "cutting-edge … switchgrass as a possible source. The most promising cultivars for bioenergy are 'Alamo' in the deep south, 'Kanlow' for mid latitudes, and 'Cave-in-Rock' for central and northern states. If used to produce bioenergy, switchgrass will reduce …
Type: Plant Info
… The end of summer and the entrance of autumn can produce astounding color in the natural landscape. While some plants tone down as they prepare to "go gentle into that … are native to North America. Twenty-two different species alone are found growing naturally in the Chicago region. While the sunny meadows and former prairie lands carry the majority of the species, there are others quite at home in the partial shade of the woods — Solidago flexicaulis (the zigzag or broad-leaved …
Type: Plant Info
… Tomatoes are already one of American’s favorite vegetables, but with the renewed interest in homegrown food, their popularity is growing through the "green" roof. Considered a warm-season … plants need warm soil and frost-free nights, tomatoes are best planted outdoors after mid-May in the Chicago area. Even then you might need to cover plants, which is why many gardeners wait … and 3 to 4 feet apart if there is room for them to sprawl. Dwarf varieties are easily grown in containers, making them a favorite crop of urban and small-space gardeners. Tomatoes growing …
Type: Plant Info
… is too much algae on the water surface. How do I get rid of it? A. A small amount of algae in water gardens is a natural occurrence. A large buildup, however, can detract from the beauty of your garden and should be "managed" in any of the following ways. If your pond is in full sun, be sure water plants shade the water surface since algae thrives in full sun. If …
Type: Plant Info
… your plant six hours of bright, but not direct, sunlight (understandably, not always possible in December). The color of the bracts will remain stronger if temperatures remain between 65 and … slightly moist soil. Allow all water to drain out of the pot, and be sure the plant never sits in water because its roots will rot quickly. When the plant is in bloom, it is not necessary to fertilize it. If you are interested in keeping your plant all …
Type: Plant Info
… not uncommon to see perennials heaved out of the ground at this time of the year. Fluctuations in temperature during the winter and repeated freezing and thawing of soil cause some plants to … or push themselves out of the ground, and expose the plant's roots to the elements, especially in areas that have no snow cover. Shallow-rooted plants, such as foamflower ( Tiarella cordifolia ), coral bells ( Heuchera ), seathrift ( Armeria ), and perennials planted late in the fall that have not fully established their root systems are more susceptible to heaving. …
Type: Plant Info
… Cantigny Park Labor Day Festival, Mount Prospect Summer Veterans Bandshell Concerts, Art in the Barn, Good Shepherd Hospital, Collegiate Jazz Festival, Oak Street Beachstro, Del Webb Sun City, Glen View Club, Windsor Manor, and a variety of other venues in the Chicago area. The Reunion Jazz Orchestra has in its ranks doctors and architects, information technology professionals, music educators, …
Type: Event for Calendar
