… consider constructing a raised bed outlined with durable, untreated lumber. The boxed bed is then filled with a perfect, lightweight mix of topsoil, compost, and leaf mold. Other small-space gardeners who choose containers to grow their veggies and herbs can use this same mix for their pots. Any gardener who suspects … the soil is contaminated should have a soil test taken prior to growing edible plants. This is best done when the soil temperature is above 50 degrees. …
Type: Plant Info
… This vine blooms in early spring to late fall. With a bloom color of red or orange, it does best when grown in full sun. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… small, flowering trees that function as popular landscape stalwarts. Discover some of the best crabapple trees for the Midwest region. A Garden walk is included. Dress for the weather. The School’s CEUs=3 hours OPC elective Mark Zampardo, …
Type: Item Detail
… Lesser calamint is an aromatic, slow-growing, erect perennial with ovate dark green leaves that are 1½ inches long that smell like mint. It grows best in sun in well-drained moist soil. In summer, it produces 5 to 15 white-turning-to-light-lavender to blue flowers with the onset of cooler nighttime …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… American hornbeam, native to Illinois woodlands, attains heights of 25 to 40 feet when mature. A good choice for … displays leaves of various colors, ranging from yellow to scarlet to reddish-purple. This tree is at its best in winter, when the picturesque, sinewy, blue-gray branches can be seen. It is also known as …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Large-flowered inula is an easy to grow, clump-forming perennial that prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun. It … composed of numerous, narrow, ray florets. Good drainage is essential, and the plants do best in cold climates. Orientalis is hardy to USDA Zone 3 and grows to 2½ feet tall, featuring …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q: My red-twig dogwood stems don't seem to be as bright red as they used to be. What is the problem? A. As red-twig dogwood stems age, they turn dark in color. The best way to maintain your plant's health and maximize its color is to prune it using a technique …
Type: Plant Info
… ‘Fireworks’) explode with color in the Home Landscape Gardens during summer. Flowering best in full sun, drought-tolerant sundrops must have well-drained soil. This winter-hardy, summer-blooming perennial has exceptionally cheery, 3- to 4-inch flowers, and a loose, sprawling habit that softens edges of walkways and paths. Fireworks is selected for its dusky purple flushed leaves and red buds. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… This large, nonhardy perennial comes into flower in midsummer and continues blooming up to frost. It is best used as an annual in Chicago-area gardens. Plant this salvia in sunny locations that will …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… in attracting flies that pollinate the flowers as they lay their eggs in what appears to be a dead animal. This native of southern Africa is not hardy outdoors in the Chicago region and grows best in full sun and relatively dry soils. The odor can be overpowering indoors. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
