… Q. I am tempted by the gorgeous azaleas available now in florist shops. Is it possible for me to plant them in my garden in spring? A. Although all azaleas are members of the Rhododendron genus, the …
Type: Plant Info
… grows 58 inches tall and 38 inches wide, with its green leaves turning purple and bronze in the fall. The dark purple flowers appear on the stems from July through October. It grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil and enjoys the heat. It is most effective when grouped into large drifts and makes an excellent ground cover for parks, …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… steep prairie hillsides and swampy lowlands as a Plants of Concern volunteer, his mission is, at once, straightforward and profound: find endangered plants, count them, and alert the land … Southern Illinois. They are the unsung heroes of the conservation world: dedicated volunteers, in muddy boots and thorn-snagged pants, giving back to the landscapes they love. “I think caring for the natural world brings out the best in people,” said Stevens. The swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Source: Doug McGrady. …
Type: Blog
… ), apple ( Malus ), pear ( Pyrus ), firethorn ( Pyracantha ) Description & Symptoms Apple scab is a common fungal infection of crabapple and apple trees. Small, pale green spots appear on the … that reinfect the tree. Spores overwinter on fallen leaves on the ground and are released in the spring to start the cycle all over again. Damage Although unsightly, apple scab rarely … to other disease and insect problems. Treatment & Solutions Crabapple trees must be planted in full sun. When planting an apple or crabapple tree, choose a resistant variety that is less …
Type: Plant Info
… against the odds, a single endangered flower has bloomed here. The only wild lakeside daisy in Illinois, blooming on Chicago’s Southeast Side under a protective wire cage. Photo by Casey … after wild populations of the species were last seen in Illinois. The bloom this past spring is a small but striking sign of recovery. Its presence is thanks to the Chicago Botanic Garden … decades. It couldn’t have survived Big Marsh’s original wetland, but slag had transformed the site into something resembling the daisy’s almost nonexistent native habitat. This was a rare …
Type: Blog
… texture of the water lilies floating on the rippling aquatic pools. If you visit this garden in the evening, note the dramatic effect of the lighting. Stop 2: Photo Tip: Summer-Rose Garden … already informed the structure of your subject, as you compose your framing. Control balance in your composition and consider irregularity and asymmetry when your frame your photos. Stop … varying shutter speeds. Stop 5: Photo Tip: Summer-Dwarf Conifer Garden Note subtle shifts in tone between the various conifers and the gracefully placed stones. Try photographing in black …
Type: Page
… The holidays will soon be upon us. When it comes to the gardeners in your life, there are plenty of gift-giving ideas. An avid gardener can never have too many … the new Fresh from the Garden: An Organic Guide to Growing Vegetables, Berries, and Herbs in Cold Climates, by John Whitman (University of Minnesota Press). How about a magazine … hoe? Many garden centers now offer lightweight collapsible hoses that curl up when the water is turned off. Most gardeners could use a spare watering can, too. Wind Chimes Give the gift of …
Type: Plant Info
… The Norway Maple is native to eastern and central Europe as well as southwest Asia. It is a medium sized deciduous tree that can reach a height and width of 50 feet. It is extremely hardy and tolerant of a wide range of soil and moisture conditions, but prefers dry …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Description: This state-threatened, migrating species is locally rare, and is associated with old-growth forest that is declining throughout its range. …
Type: Birding
… Spring-Esplanade Notice light green seeds on the elm trees, creating a mystical glow. Combined in a frame with the darker, cooler greens of the nearby boxwoods, for stunning color. Stop 3: … of early bulbs poking through the stone. Capture their image against the unique background. In the rock garden area, look for a dwarf iris named Katherine Hodgkin; or the low, dusty-pink prairie smoke in the Native Garden, along with the purple hues of the pasque flower. Follow the calls of …
Type: Page
