… Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Butterflies and other nectar seeking insects flock to this plant when it comes into flower. Requires well drained soils on the dry side in the Chicago region in order to thrive. Insect and disease resistant. In an evaluation of ironweeds conducted at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Letterman's ironweed was rated as a good choice for growing in the Chicagoland area in terms of disease resistance and overall performance. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… fruit in fall. Viburnums are a versatile genus of multi-stemmed shrubs that are well suited to the 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
… prized by birds. Viburnums are a versatile genus of multi-stemmed shrubs that are well suited to the 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
… Medium sized cattleya orchid shaped flowers, usually two or more per flower stalk begin to appear in fall and carry through early winter. The flowers originate from the creeping stem instead of from the pseudobulb as most orchids do. Often referred to as a "blue orchid", the flowers are actually lavender with a darker lip and yellow blotch below the nectar guides. The search for a "blue orchid" consumed a number of 18th and 19th century plant explorers. Cattleya …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… perennials. Is this normal? Is there anything that I should do about it? A. It is 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 heave or push themselves out of the ground, and expose the plant's roots to the elements, … garden beds that are too wet can ruin the structure of the soil and make the beds unsuitable for planting. …
Type: Plant Info
… Flower buds emerge white and then change to pale lilac with a distinctive white cup. Introduced to science by M. Leichtlin in 1890. It is close in appearance to Colchicum speciosum but differs … late in the season to accommodate the luxuriant spring foliage and that provide a backdrop for the flowers in Fall. Examples include cultivars of Heuchera , Phlox paniculata , …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… states that “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” When we talk about rare species we tend to think of them as a collective group that shares similar traits, however, some argue that … is the range, population size and habitat preference all have important consequences for gene flow and population structure. I am interested in the population genetics of rare …
Type: Staff bio
… How to Identify Poison Ivy Poison ivy takes many forms, so it is particularly important for parents, camp counselors, hikers, gardeners, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors to become familiar with its characteristics in all seasons. It can grow as a sprawling ground …
Type: Plant Info
… It's Crabapple Blossom Time! Great Basin. Where to begin? A beautiful spring walk designed to capture the crabapples, and other magical vistas and views, begins at the overlook, next to … of these companion plants focus on yellow, purple, blue, and chartreuse—excellent enhancements for the powerful pinks, reds, and whites of the five different varieties of flowering crabapples: …
Type: Walks
… a woodlot. I was traveling between nature preserves in this area of the state collecting seeds for the Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank , so my mind was already tuned in for … interesting native flora that might produce a collection for the seed bank. It was impossible to make a positive I.D. traveling at 60 m.p.h., but the color of that patch of blue was … gave me plenty of time to contemplate whether or not to make the collection. Since my first visit to the woodland, I have made several seed collections of many quality native woodland …
Type: Blog
