… of color in all gardens. In addition to the true kings and queens of the bulb garden, there is a very interesting group of smaller bulbs, perhaps not as well-known, but containing many … checkered lily, spring beauty) and most will naturalize over the years as long as the foliage is allowed to yellow and wither naturally, thus providing food for the blossoms to come. Winter … of 4 inches to the tip of the bulb and watered well after planting. Since root development is crucial in the fall, sprinkle bulb booster or bone meal over the top player of soil. These …
Type: Plant Info
… should first take care of their "dirty" business. Starting with and maintaining healthy soil is fundamental to good gardening, but too often it is overlooked in the frenzy to get those plants in the ground. Since many plant problems can be traced to poor soil, compacted … with moisture and a half-cup of granular 10-10-10 fertilizer. A cubic yard of compost requires 1 pound of fertilizer. Turn every two weeks in warm weather, not as often in cold weather. Dark, …
Type: Plant Info
… “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ―Chinese proverb Warm, sunny days and cool nights have ushered in autumn. Before you … choose a small, spring-flowering ornamental tree. Now’s the time to shop and plant. “October is great for planting,” says Tim Johnson, the Garden’s senior director of horticulture. “Any tree …
Type: Plant Info
… compound called capsaicin. The body often reacts to capsaicin by sweating, which some suggest is one reason hot peppers are popular in hot climates. In northern climates, peppers tend to be … mildness and eaten green—perhaps partly because the growing season is too short and cool to get them really ripe. Recently, though, a vogue for hot peppers has led breeders to introduce … kind of summer that is pretty much guaranteed in Bolivia, but not in Chicago. You'll need a site in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, amended with plenty of compost or other organic …
Type: Plant Info
… as moths, ready to lay their eggs for the next year. Damage The soft rot spread by the larvae is the most serious injury caused by borers. Untreated, borers can heavily infest iris plantings, destroying many plants. Treatment & Solutions Sanitation is critical to successful control of borers. Cleaning up and destroying all plant debris in the fall will get rid of eggs laid during the summer. Leaving the rhizomes partially exposed when planting can …
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, … six to eight weeks before the last frost date, and the sowing date would be March 15 or April 1. Six to eight weeks is a long time to spend on a windowsill. In that case, consider growing …
Type: Plant Info
… View Classes   Carlson’s Outdoor Photo Tips Light Controlling light in photography is important. “Often the snow looks gray or blue in winter photos; this is because there’s an … morning or in the afternoon as the sun begins to set. “At those times of day in winter, you get the added benefit of ice crystal reflection on the snow, causing a sparkling effect. Snow … down, which sometimes results in a loss of the images. It’s not a storage device, so once you get home, transfer the images from the card to your computer, a portable device, or the Cloud.” …
Type: Plant Info
… on a global stage in London?  An international team of orchid experts would work with us to get the rare plant to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show in late May. At … lindenii ) usually blooms in summer—not May. Never mind that we didn’t have enough time to get the special permits to transport the plant into the United Kingdom. Never mind that we … sure how the heat- and humidity-loving ghost orchid would hold up in travel. The Garden is one of the few institutions in the world to have ghost orchids; the plant is notoriously …
Type: Blog
… be brown, black, red, yellow, green, or other colors. Although they are usually smaller than 1/8 inch in length, they can be easily seen when they cluster in large numbers on plants. They … time during the growing season. They reproduce many times a year, and populations can easily get very large. Most do not fly, but some have small transparent wings. Damage Heavy infestations … soap, which must be sprayed directly on the insects to be effective. As with all products, it is important to carefully follow directions on the package when applying insecticidal soap. For …
Type: Plant Info
… “Gardening is something you learn by doing—and by making mistakes. Like cooking, gardening is a constant … Here’s a look at some common mistakes—perhaps you can relate, and if not, you may just get an A+. The Gift that Keeps on Giving (*&^#@!) Has a fellow gardener offered to give you some … credit card bill with plant purchases to your significant other.) Avoid the Volcano My brakes get a work out, especially in spring and summer (also known as Let’s Mulch Everything Season). I …
Type: Plant Info
