… Large heads of blue-mauve flowers (the closest to true blue in the species) perfume the surrounding landscape with the sweet scent of garden phlox from July to October. This plant is highly attractive to pollinating insects and hummingbirds but prone to powdery mildew on the leaves during summer. Reduce water on the leaves and plant in a well- aerated area of the garden to impede the progression of this non-fatal disease. It has …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… of large blooms featuring single, crinkled white flowers surrounding a mass of golden stamens is the key feature of this cultivar. The stems are strong and do not need to be staked. This 1928 … stood the test of time due to a unique tolerance of warmer winters that makes it a favorite in southern and northern gardens alike. It matures at a height of 31 inches if grown in full sun to partial shade and moderate moisture conditions. It has a faint fragrance, at best. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Purple Showers water bluebell ( Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers') loves moist soils in sunny to partially shaded locations, and if provided these conditions, it will reward … frequency of flower production keeps the plant well-decorated on a day-to-day basis. A study in Florida found this cultivar is a sterile form and does not set seed. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Chinese ironweed is a tall perennial that bears masses of purple flowers with hot pink eyes in the late summer and … border where its height and the late season pop of color can be appreciated. It can be pruned in early summer to reduce height. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… that they must be viewed up close. They are white with pale purple spots, and they occur in clusters all along the stems in the leaf axils. What an amazing plant! Use it where its orchidlike flowers can be appreciated, as an accent plant or container plant. This is a fall-blooming perennial with striking, unusual flowers. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Lime’ was originally released for use in cut flower production. Fortunately, bedding plant nurseries have picked up this cultivar for use in the back of the flower bed during the dog days of summer when most other annuals have melted … with fully double flowers, and up to 5 inches diameter on strong, sturdy stems. This cultivar is more resistant to powdery mildew than many other zinnias on the market. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… When hardy kiwi vines were first introduced into American gardens in the 1880's, they were valued for their fragrant spring bloom and their ability to "green up" … the berries are. That's when 'Fairchild' came on the scene. Hardy kiwi vine 'Fairchild' is female, and that's important if you want to grow it for the fruit as well as the flowers, … is hardy to -35, so you can be confident Chicago winters won't faze it. And it's happy in full sun or part shade. However, it will need frequent pruning and strong support...the vines …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… dots. The flowers are fragrant and measure 3-6“ on stems that stand 6 to 8 feet tall. After it is established it will produce multiple stems with a mass of blooms in late July and early August. Miss Feya is an Orienpet hybrid, a cross between an Oriental lily … of this lily makes it a lovely addition to the garden. Lilies love full sun, but will do well in partial shade. They tolerate hot summer days, as long as the bulbs are deep enough to remain …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Toro magnolia is a hybrid derived from M. acuminata . Its multi-colored blossoms are creamy white and pink with … for the stunning beauty of their usually large flowers, which emerge prior to the foliage in spring, and are often fragrant. While shades of pink are the most common bloom color, the … and southeastern Asia and eastern North America, Central and South America; most are not hardy in the Chicago region. Buds and blooms of the magnolias that do thrive here are often subject to …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… outdoors, sow the seeds indoors four to six weeks before the usual last frost (around May 15 in the Chicago area). Use a sterile seed starting mix and any containers that will hold soil, provide drainage, and accommodate growing roots. Moisten the soil, place two seeds in the pot, and cover lightly with more soil mix. Cover the pots with clear plastic to keep the … of true leaves, pinch the weaker plants down to soil level. Water the seedlings when the soil is dry. It is important to slowly acclimate tomato plants to outdoor temperatures, wind, and the …
Type: Plant Info
