… Purple Sensation Persian onion ( Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation') is one of the earliest of the large-flowered, hardy onions that produce hundreds of violet-purple flowers in a globe-like inflorescence up to 4 inches in diameter. Each bloom spike can reach 30 inches in height. Cut flowers usually last … on planting the large bulbs among shrubs and perennials that are in active growth in mid- to late summer to prevent excess moisture in the soil from rotting the bulbs. Recent DNA analysis …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ is grown for its intensely dark colored large elephant ears. The flowers, produced in winter, are … the typical aroid shape and are frequented by several species of tropical bees and flies drawn to the citrusy fragrance. This plant can take very wet soils and has become a favorite of water … in the depth of color of the leaves. The specific epithet (species name), esculenta, refers to the edible nature of the roots (taro or dasheen). An important source of starch in the humid …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… if grown on mature trees. Gardeners looking for a vine for a trellis will have an opportunity to practice their pruning skills. The genus Campsis is derived from the Greek term kampsis , meaning "bending," because the stamens are curved. This genus contains only two species; the second is native to China and has a long history of medicinal use. Related species in the same genus occurring in …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Tom Thumb creeping cotoneaster is a dwarf form with a spreading habit. Pink buds open to white flowers in May and June. This is … as hedges or groundcovers. The genus Cotoneaster includes at least 90 species of shrubs native to the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, with a concentration in western China. There are no …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Little Gem creeping cotoneaster is a dwarf form with a spreading habit. Pink buds open to white flowers in May and June. This is … as hedges or groundcovers. The genus Cotoneaster includes at least 90 species of shrubs native to the temperate regions of Europe and Asia, with a concentration in western China. There are no …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Dark Mystery Alumroot is a stunning dark purple Heuchera villosa hybrid. The leaves are large, oak shaped and … flowers on dark purple stems appear in late spring and early summer increasing the height to 23 inches. Discovered in 2008 by Luc Klinkhamer of CNB Greenteam, Dark Mystery Alumroot … Suitable for full sun or shade, in can be used massed in groups as a groundcover, added to containers for color contrast and used in mixed borders. It will attract bees, birds and is …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… introduced 1786. Like so many Gallicas, the blooms are often a mixture of colors from lilac to wine purple, but with magenta predominating. The flowers are large (4 inches across) and very double. In other words, this rose is a show stopper in bloom. There's no need to deadhead, it doesn't repeat, so you and the birds can enjoy the colorful hips come fall and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… and lobed foliage, which emerges pinkish in the spring. Indeed, the intriguing spring foliage is the primary reason for this oak's selection. Its growth rate is often described as glacial and … 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 over 1,000 individual trees. Twenty oak species are native to Illinois. Oaks are slow growing, long lived, hard wood trees that produce fruit we all know as …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q. I would like to enrich my garden soil this spring and wonder about using manure on my flower beds. A. Composted or aged manure is a wonderful soil amendment, useful in most types of garden beds. When completely composted, it … It can be turned into the soil this spring or applied as a winter mulch once the ground is frozen late next fall. …
Type: Plant Info
… Thailand Giant elephant ears is a massive herbaceous plant with enormous broad heart-shaped green leaves that was found in the jungles of northern Thailand. Thailand Giant can grow to nine feet in height and about 6 feet in width with single leaves reaching five feet long. It … scented white flowers during the growing season. Because of its large size Thailand Giant is a heavy feeder and will require consistent moisture. Elephant ears are not hardy in Chicago …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
