… with a fine-textured twiggy mounding habit. The small simple leaves are generally lance-shaped and held close to the branch. Spring to early summer abundant blooms tend to be in white or pink tones, depending on the species and/or cultivar. While individual flowers are quite small, they occur in clusters of … best used in groupings in a shrub or mixed border, where they are valued as tough, reliable and easy-care performers in northern climates. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Grows® is a plant introduction partnership of the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois formed to promote plant cultivars … clay to sandy soils in contrast to most commercially available spiderworts that prefer shade and moist soils. The 1-inch-wide, vivid reddish-purple flowers are borne in great profusion in May and early June, literally covering the centers of the plants. Like all spiderworts, each flower …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… is in Division 2. It blooms in early to mid season with 3 ¾ inch flowers that open yellow and become white with age. The corona is very broad and shallow with a frilled mouth. The petals may be slightly reflexed. This early hybrid … that can be further hybridized with more cultivars than typically possible.The bulbs are toxic and will not be eaten by deer or rabbits. The name Narcissus comes from the Greek word for …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to almost black color of its bark at maturity although the inner bark is yellowish orange and was once used as a source of yellow dye. It produces acorns biennially after up to 20 years … to North America; the Chicago Botanic Garden's collection contains more than 60 varieties and over 1,000 individual trees. Twenty oak species are native to Illinois. Oaks are slow … acorns take two years to mature (biennial). Oaks are often imposing shade trees at maturity and provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife. Archived Copy: This content was captured …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… smaller flowers than the species. The unopened buds at the top of the spike are deep pink, and as they open they fade to a soft rosy-pink, with carnation pink anthers. They are best … in large groups because a single bulb could easily be over-looked. They are fully hardy and require no special care. After blooming, the flower stalks and tiny pairs of linear leaves will fade away. Be careful to note their location so you don't …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… middle of the twentieth century. This medium-sized shrub of an irregular habit is the first and last viburnum to bloom, with clusters of tiny pink buds that open to very fragrant white flowers in April and repeated blooms sporadically late in fall. The spring flowers emerge before the foliage and may be susceptible to late spring frosts. Viburnums are a versatile genus of multi-stemmed …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The American cranberrybush viburnum is native to the northeastern and northwestern parts of the U.S. It will reach a height of 12’ with an equal spread. It blooms … of flowers. The flowers give way to edible red fruits in the fall that are attractive to birds and may be made into preserves or jellies for humans. Fall color is bronze to red. It will grow in full sun to partial shade and is not fussy about soil types or conditions. Cultivars are more commonly found in the trade …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… kiwi vine is said to have a higher proportion of variegated leaves with bold splashes of white and pink. The female may be less colorful, but only she can give you the delicious kiwi berries … C than the larger grocery store kiwis.If you want to grow kiwi vines plan on frequent pruning and strong support. Left unchecked, these woody twining vines can reach 20 feet, making them … arbors or shading a patio. They'll they grow well in part shade, but you'll get a better crop and more colorful foliage in full sun. A note of warning to cat owners: kiwi vine smells like …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… As gardeners develop an appreciation of native trees and shrubs, many become more willing to try these plants in their own landscapes. The unusual … family make it an excellent choice for such adventurous gardeners. Witch hazel offers yellow and red fragrant flowers blooming at unconventional times; the ability to thrive in moist, claylike soil; good fall color, and tolerance of sunny or shady conditions. Witch hazels can be seen growing in the wild in …
Type: Plant Info
… bumblebee ( Bombus affinis )—but this endangered species has vanished from most of its range and had never before been seen at the Garden. The bee in question flew off, and we were left wondering whether or not we had just discovered something truly remarkable. The … Like all bumblebees, it is a superb pollinator of some of our favorite foods like tomatoes and blueberries, but also of beloved wildflowers like bluebells and sunflowers. However, in the …
Type: Blog
