… PINKY BELLS abelia is a small shrub with arching twigs covered in dainty, glossy opposite leaves that are sharply … can continue from May until November. As the petals fall, the tiny coral-pink calyxes continue to provide color. The foliage becomes burgundy in late fall and persists well into winter—it is evergreen in warmer climates. In the Chicago area, it should be planted in a sheltered …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Brazilian species Alternanthera ficoidea , known as Joseph’s coat, calico leaf or parrotleaf, is a tropical perennial used to fill in the blanks in a floral tapestry. Rarely grown as individual plants but in crowds, they … are ruby red in full light. In a container it will form a neat low mound. In flower beds, it is used as a filler between other annuals, contrasting nicely with chartreuse, orange or yellow …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Metallica Elephant's Ear is a striking plant with large, puckered, heart-shaped, dark greenish-black leaves, and … a sheltered location, or as part of a moist understory planting or shady border. It will grow to about five feet tall and wide. It is not hardy in Chicago and must either be brought indoors, or the bulb can be lifted and stored …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Asimina triloba ‘Prolific’ is a native plant that grows either as a small understory tree or a multi-stemmed shrub 15-20 … June, producing edible, yellowish green fruits that resemble bananas. ‘Prolific’ pawpaw is a heavy-bearing variety with large, early ripening fruit that can be eaten raw or used in ice … suckers and can naturalize in woodlands and in damp areas along ponds or streams in full sun to part shade. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Buttonwood, also called button mangrove, is an important part of the shoreline ecosystems in tropical America, from Florida to the Caribbean, Venezuela, and over the ocean in the Pacific Islands. The variety sericeus has … in the landscape. It can tolerate brackish soil, high heat, humidity, and once established, it is also drought-tolerant. It has been used commercially along streets, in parking lots, and by …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Honeysuckle fuchsia ( Fuchsia triphylla 'Gartenmeister Bonstedt') is still going strong, more than 100 years after the creation of this hybrid. Its coral-red … name ( triphylla ) references the production of three leaves at each node, in contrast to other Fuchsia species that produce two leaves per node. This nonhardy shrub prefers partially shaded conditions and humus-rich, moist soils. It is insect and disease resistant in the Chicago area as long as the soils are kept moist …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Big Ben is a large version of the native false indigo plant. It is a large, upright perennial that … blue pea-like flowers in spring. Pollinators such as birds, bees and butterflies are attracted to these upright spikes that persist for about two weeks. Big Ben grows to about four feet in height and width and has grayish-green foliage. Although removing the …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… As the weather changes and true fall sets in, all eyes turn to the trees. It's a smart time to take a walk in the neighborhood, to really look at which trees are growing there and what colors they turn in fall. Then take the next step: have a critical look at your own yard. Is it time to plant a tree or shrub? If so, what kind might be right for your yard, and what fall …
Type: Plant Info
… and engineering practices and STEM. Examine systems and system models as you learn what is required to grow plants in water. Build a simple hydroponic planter to take back to the classroom using inexpensive, easy-to-get materials. We’ll provide tips for …
Type: Item Detail
… Hibiscus laevis has pink to almost white flowers with a maroon or purple eye and 5 overlapping petals. The flowers are produced all along the stem from the bottom to the top and measure up to 6 inches across. The plant stands 4 to 6 feet tall, blooming in mid summer until fall, although each flower lasts only one day. Hibiscus laevis is native to the United States and Canada. It grows in Illinois in wet areas such as marshes and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
