… like ours where fires were natural and many species require fire to survive, burning regularly is critical to the health of our natural areas.” That’s because periodic fires—ignited by … with so much working against them,” said Jim Jabcon, prairie ecologist at the Garden. Fire is an effective tool for keeping natural areas healthy because, over time, the cycle of burning, … of invasive species that didn’t evolve with fire. “McDonald Woods—our restored oak woodland—is so rich in native wildflower, grass, and sedge species because burning leaf litter and …
Type: Blog
… Espalier is a method of training and pruning a tree or shrub, forcing it to grow flat against a wall or a … commercial apple trees are grafted onto roots from selected hardy apple trees. Some rootstock is dwarfing and will produce small trees; other rootstock produces full-size trees. If you … M27 or the mini-dwarf MAL27. You will begin with a 2- to 3-foot sapling, or whip, that is still very pliable and has not yet grown any side branches. It can be planted against a wall, …
Type: Plant Info
… plants, whose trailing stems are trained to grow around, up, and through a wire form. This is truly hands-on gardening, since the plant’s new growth is not allowed to go where it wants to go, but must be coaxed into a predetermined shape. The … personal set of growing preferences, and gardeners must make a good match between their home site and a suitable plant. Ivy is shade tolerant and loves cool conditions, but will crisp up in …
Type: Plant Info
… many years. Challenges In the erratic midwestern climate, the biggest danger to all bulbs is a treacherous thaw in mid- or late winter that tricks them into blooming too early. Not every … grasslike, and unobtrusive, most gardeners can stand to leave them alone after the bloom is done. That's a good thing, because any bulbous plant's leaves are the energy factory it … By April, they have already done their job as the heralds of spring. The most popular species is Galanthus nivalis, including a double-flowered cultivar, 'Flore Pleno'. Snowdrops multiply by …
Type: Plant Info
… – Richard Hawke, the Garden's plant evaluation manager Japanese forest grass ( Hakonechloa ) is a favorite of Richard Hawke, the Garden's plant evaluation manager. Growing about 1 to 2 feet … tuberosa ) and Coreopsis . Purple love grass ( Eragrostis spectabilis ) Purple love grass is another native plant that's useful in the front of a sunny flower bed. It forms a clump about 1 to 2 feet tall, grows in average soil, and tolerates a drought once the plant is established. The light purple flowers appear in midsummer and when several plants are grouped …
Type: Plant Info
… Pumpkin Baby Boo Pumpkin Move over, big jack-o'-lanterns. There's a new kid in town. Baby Boo is a miniature pumpkin that’s white as snow. These cuties measure 2 to 3 inches wide and 2 inches … near West Kalimantan, a province in the southern Indonesian section of Borneo. Its common name is derived from its near-black leaves, but the plant is not nearly as dark and ominous as its namesake. Monstera, Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, …
Type: Plant Info
… in height and width. Often seen in local forest preserves, woodlands or roadsides, elderberry is sometimes overlooked as a good shrub for the home garden. Give it a spot with full to part … habit, and more prolific flowering. Common Ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ) Ninebark is occasionally found growing along streams and in dry woodlands in the northern half of … and once it’s established it can withstand drought conditions and works well in a hot, dry site. With age, lead plant becomes increasingly woody. (If deer are an issue, the plant will need …
Type: Plant Info
… Lone Piñon is a New Mexican string band, or orquesta típica, whose music celebrates the integrity and … vihuela, and bilingual vocals, they play a wide spectrum of the traditional music that is at home in New Mexico. The musicians of Lone Piñon learned from elder musicians who instilled … polkas , cunas , inditas , valses , and chotes learned from elders. This concert is presented in collaboration with the International Latino Cultural Center. …
Type: Event for Calendar
… Q. I enjoy growing plants from cuttings and seeds. What is the procedure for starting a pineapple plant at home? A. Both adults and children will have … fertilizer once every two months. The best environment for growing a healthy pineapple plant is a sunny, warm, humid room away from cold drafts or heating vents. Your pineapple plant will … rapid temperature changes might prevent fruit production, the plant’s spiky blue-green foliage is sure to add a dramatic and tropical accent to indoor as well as outdoor container gardens. …
Type: Plant Info
… pool, take a moment to study the silhouette of a bonsai and think about what the artist is trying to capture, the feeling that the tree is meant to evoke. “I feel a sense of calm and a connection through working with this … Price, Illinois, one of the presenting bonsai artists “What I value the most about bonsai is just being around them, interacting with and caring for these old trees.” —Andrew Smith, South …
Type: Event for Calendar
