… little concerned about whether they would have time to emerge before we have to shut our doors for the season. When I came into the pupae chamber a few days after they arrived, there was a … to name it “Bobby.” Bobby and Aaliyah (the atlas moth) will definitely be hanging around for a couple of weeks, so come over and say hello. Photo by Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK [ … its most beautiful forms. Being able to study and interact with nature has a profound effect on people of all ages, especially children. It awakens the childlike wonder that we all have. It …
Type: Blog
… For many people, lilacs are a sentimental flower. My mother planted many lilacs on our farm in … in the water. Leave the bucket in a cool, dark place and allow the flowers to take up water for at least an hour. Remove leaves Remove all of the leaves from each stem. Recut stem ends …
Type: Blog
… Looking for a fun and novel table decoration for a special event? Here’s an idea. We turned our table decorations into a game. We paired … Start with a plant that has a fun name that lends itself to ideas for containers based on the shape, color, or function of the container. You can also start with a container and then …
Type: Blog
… paint his own pumpkin this year, so creating a “pump-cano” was the perfect fall fun activity for him. This is an entertaining and simple activity for children of all ages and a great way to extend Halloween celebrations during the first week … all of the seeds and loose pulp. Carve a face or other design if you like. Place the pumpkin on a tray or protected surface because this is going to get messy. Pour about ½ cup of baking …
Type: Blog
… limits to its recovery in Illinois and the Great Lakes region. “Lakeside daisy relies on dry, rocky habitat in the Great Lakes region to survive. Unfortunately, this habitat is often … have survived and are unlikely to survive over the long-term. “We suspect one reason for these declines is too little genetic diversity. This species is self-incompatible, meaning … genetically different individuals remain in a population, it will not be able to produce seeds for the next generation,” said Rafael. “I hope my research will bring stakeholders together, …
Type: Research
… or other material to the container to add seasonal interest. Color alone can offer more impact on the container garden than any other design element. (However, nothing has more negative impact on the container garden than a poorly maintained appearance or bloomed-out flowers.) Tall … combinations in your container gardens. Cold-hardy vegetables and herbs can also be added for interest and texture. I like using swiss chard, broccoli, Asian greens, parsley, and alliums …
Type: Blog
… prevailing idea is that mulch is a definitive weed barrier. I hate to be the bearer of sad news, but the answer to that one is, well…have you noticed that weeds will grow quite well from … break down or compost into smaller, organically beneficial material. But its primary benefit for trees and shrubs is threefold: To protect and optimize the root zone To protect the trunk, … planted either singly or in groupings throughout turf areas, we need to imagine what’s going on underground, where the roots grow. One common plant myth that was taught to me thousands of …
Type: Blog
… ‘Miss Muffet’ and Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Illumination White’ make a great pairing for shady areas. On the perennial side of things, we’re moving into lily season. The very first lilies to bloom … hybrids (such as Lilium martagon ‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse’). Martagon lilies are terrific plants for the shade garden because they provide both structure and color at a time when little else is …
Type: Blog
… takes the idea in a different direction—in a circle, with living branches forming a perfect-for-the-front-door wreath. Imagine walking out into your yard, pruning a cluster of branch … wreath. Bouncing and waving in the breeze, they add movement and interest to your design. Hung on your front door, the living wreath can be spritzed with water once or twice a day to keep … and tucking them into the wreath. Yes, silk flowers are an option. Joynt recommends Terrain for extremely realistic flowering branches. …
Type: Blog
… much of the secret language of flowers is lost in modern times, the traditional gift of roses on Valentine’s Day still expresses unmistakable true love. And while many celebrate Valentine’s … we midwesterners appreciate giving blooms in February, when our hearts and senses most long for the color and smell of the garden in bloom. From the hearts of everyone at the Garden, we … to put your flowers in a vase, give each stem a fresh cut. Cutting at an angle opens more area for the flower to take up water. If you can, cut the stem ends in water to prevent the cut from …
Type: Blog
