… This is the quiet time of year, when we put our gardens to bed. All the hustle of summer planting, weeding, and watering is just a memory now. But our … addition to our gardens in winter. Unlike spring—when they’re busy singing, looking for a mate, and building nests—in winter, a bird’s main activity is to find and eat enough food … 2 inches deep). Birds will not use birdbaths with deep basins. If you’re new to bird-watching, buy a bird identification book. It will make the often dull winter months much more delightful. …
Type: Plant Info
… The Range of Options for a New Kind of Lawn New! Lawns cover vast areas of our local landscapes. Between planting, … Dive into the growing field of lawn alternatives with a menu of options and practical tips to rethink lawns. Class may visit lawn alternative experimental plots at the Garden, weather permitting. Dress for the …
Type: Item Detail
… full moon is lovely enough, but the upcoming one is a gift from nature—and the perfect time to take a night walk. On Monday, April 26, head outside to see the "pink" supermoon. Whether you prefer to walk in solitude or with … but not because the moon will look pretty in pink—it won't look pink; the photo below is just for fun. April’s first full moon got its nickname because it usually rises when the native …
Type: Blog
… Tour the Dixon Prairie Lost Landscape Download the GardenGuide App when you visit to use this tour on your phone Distance: .56 miles Time: 1 hour 25 mins Stop 1: Savanna … above ground and have root systems that delve deep into the soil underground. In summer, look for the compass plant, which turns its big leaves to avoid the midday sun. Stop 3: Sand … Lost Landscape Download the GardenGuide App when you visit to use this tour on your phone Distance: .56 miles Time: 1 hour 25 mins Stop 1: Savanna Dixon …
Type: Page
Unlike many other striking blue-flowered sages, this one is hardy in the Chicago area. “It needs full sun and limited additional irrigation during the growing season,” says Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation. “The flowers are visited by a wide array of pollinating insects and by hummingbirds as they begin their fall …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What insect or disease would cause the flower stalks of my beautiful delphiniums to become twisted and their flower buds to curl and blacken? A. The cyclamen mite is a damaging pest of indoor greenhouse plants such as … since adults overwinter in the soil. Approved miticides have limited success. Take care to buy healthy transplants and isolate any houseplants that appear infected. …
Type: Plant Info
… Next to the royalty on the orchid tree is a close relative, Miltassia 'Charles M. Fitch'. This plant … Orchidaceae, is the second largest plant family in the world, with 880 genera and more than 26,000 species. Orchid breeders have created more than 100,000 hybrids, some of them combining … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
ZAHARA® Fire Zinnia Well branched smaller stature plants are covered with bright orange single zinnia flowers from the height of summer into early fall. The stature and branching habits support the use of this cultivar in containers and flower beds. Nectar rich flowers are visited during the summer by a number of insects while the oil rich seeds in fall are a favorite of …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q: How can I overwinter coleus plants so I don’t have to buy new ones each spring? A: The easiest method is to pot up stem cuttings. Most growers and home … so bring the plants inside if cold nights threaten. By mid-May, the plants should be ready for your garden or containers. Cuttings may also be taken from a large, healthy plant in late …
Type: Plant Info
… Ugly Duckling, has burst into full, dramatic bloom, releasing its famously foul odor of decay to attract pollinators. Like the duckling in the fairy tale, “The Ugly Duckling”, this plant … its collection, and this plant was not correctly identified as a titan arum until it bloomed for the first time. Corpse flowers are known for producing one of the largest and most pungent inflorescences in the plant kingdom, giving us a fascinating—and fleeting—chance to witness an amazing natural wonder. The bloom typically lasts just 24 to 36 hours. Last year, …
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