… Lilium lancifolium ‘Splendens‘ is one of several species with the common name of tiger lily. The flowers are orange-red with black speckles and recurved petals in late summer. The flowers are 5 inches across, and a … plants surrounding the lilies will help protect their roots from drying out. Lilies make an excellent cut flower with long-lasting blooms and buds that continue to mature and open after …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… handsome and fun to watch. A spring male decked in his finest courtship attire is blue overall with a contrasting black breast and black facial pattern. It also sports a yellow cap on its head, yellow shoulders, and of course, the yellow rump. As with many migratory songbirds, the males come first, followed by the much duller-looking females, … even hear the bill snap as the warbler traps the hapless bug. Also, listen for the series of fast, high-pitched notes as the yellow-rumped warbler males defend feeding territory and practice …
Type: Birding
… When we are stuck inside, our mental images of cherry blossoms, tulips, and forsythia, are hit with the reality of the snow outside our windows, causing a short circuitry in our minds and a … image, growing from the inside out. Using this framework, we create colorful sun catchers with beautiful, translucent pressed flowers and foliage on contact paper. To begin the activity, … systems in their lives: their family, friends, and neighborhood. For children, this is an excellent opportunity to conceptualize the many levels of community around them and how they are …
Type: Blog
… for this year. Catalogs and web sites are already showing off new varieties, sometimes with "available on" dates. New varieties go fast, and gardeners who wait until late summer to think about their fall garden can find empty … bells, attract attention for wonderfully multicolored foliage that lasts all season long. Excellent for containers, under shrubs, or to brighten the inevitable dark spots in the fall …
Type: Plant Info
… effort.” It may be defined as having qualities such as meditative calmness often associated with practitioners of Zen Buddhism. The term “Zen garden” was first coined by Loraine Kuck, in … for use indoors.) One key to creating a zen garden is avoiding excess—overloading the site with plants, too many rocks, lanterns or statues. The main characteristics of the zen garden are …
Type: Plant Info
… spades should be trued and sharpened as needed. The metal parts of all tools should be wiped with a light coat of lubricating oil to stave off rust. Cutting tools, including knives, pruners, … instructions. This can be done by the individual gardener or by the machine dealer’s service department. An important precaution is to remove all gasoline from the machines, either …
Type: Plant Info
… but should be avoided because they have limited usage. If you can’t resist using containers with no drainage, see these for instructions on drilling bottom holes. If a container is used … scorch and fail to thrive, which can lead to premature death. Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-0972 or plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org for additional information. …
Type: Plant Info
… fear of bugs or critters (in my case, spiders), fear of Nature’s power to wipe out a crop with one fell storm. In this month’s edition of Smart Gardener , we get to the root of three … something fresh and new. The Strategy: Start Simply. The easiest vegetables to grow are those with seeds that can be sown straight into the earth. Your first spring salad Lettuce, kale, or … whether your soil’s acidic or basic (pH), which fertilizer it needs. Our Plant Information Service sums it up nicely. Here is the link for you to access soil testing services . Once you …
Type: Plant Info
… to the branches of magnolia trees. In severe infestations, entire branches may be coated with scale and have a chalky appearance. Many gardeners do not realize their trees are infected until they notice the leaves turning black with sooty mold that grows on the clear sticky liquid secreted by the scale insects. In early …
Type: Plant Info
… Biology and Life Cycle Adult beetles are elongated, approximately 1/8 to ½ inch in length, with metallic green wings and bronze bodies. The EAB adults begin to emerge from ash trees as the … identification All Fraxinus species are susceptible. If in doubt, contact Plant Information Service for positive tree identification. D-shaped holes As adults emerge in the spring, they … an integral role in preventing the EAB from spreading. The USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) has federally restricted the movement of all ash products outside of the state of …
Type: Plant Info
