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  • … of Hummelo alpine betony ( Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo') throughout the summer. This cultivar is a butterfly magnet whose flowers are also noted for long vase life indoors. This is a reliable perennial in the Chicago area if planted in locations that don't stay waterlogged …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … One of the smallest species of amaryllis, its native habit is dry, hot forests in Bolivia. Trumpet-shaped flowers are creamy white with a hint of … measure about 3 inches long. The 3 upper petals are larger than the lower three. This species is usually dormant during the winter, and blooms in spring or summer. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … song or the “potato-chip” call of the American goldfinch as it flits in undulating fashion to trees, shrubs, and grasses. The 4-inch-long bird has a slightly forked tail and short, conical … In winter, the males look a lot like the drab-olive females. But come spring, the male begins to get blotches of yellow on his body until he finally molts into his golden spring and summer … uses thistle down, which isn't available until midsummer, to construct its nest. Thistle down is a soft, feathery material that protects the fruiting part of a thistle plant. Many varieties …
    Type: Birding
  • … including heirloom tomatoes and purple potatoes. Amalea and Jason recently won StarChefs.com’s Rising Stars award. Makes 8 servings Ingredients 5 pounds heirloom peppers 3 pounds red … Extra virgin olive oil One eighth pound unsalted butter 1 cup white wine Powdered gelatin Salt to taste Directions Roast both types of peppers and peel. Separate the red peppers for puree and marinate the heirloom peppers in olive oil and salt to taste.   Peel and slice the purple potatoes one eighth of an inch thick. Blanch the potatoes …
    Type: Page
  • … Desert rose or impala lily, is neither a rose or a lily but a small succulent perennial in the dogbane family found growing … branches growing in an irregular pattern from the thick, trunk-like stem. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant. In its native habitat, it can reach nine feet tall, but in our greenhouses it is three feet tall. A scattering of small, glossy ovate leaves cover the branches, but these are …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Landmark™Yellow lantana has great tolerance for heat, drought, and humidity, and is insect- and disease-resistant. It does not produce many viable seeds, instead focusing on … Plant this lantana in full sun and in average soil. Also called yellow sage, lantana is in the verbena family. While the flowers have little fragrance, the rough, scratchy leaves emit an odd spicy scent. The species is invasive in parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands where it was introduced, but in the Chicago …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Plants Some plants provide treats. Others can be tricksters. Check out our infographic below to get the scoop on spooky plants. Visit the Garden this fall to meet them in person... if you dare. Happy Halloween For more information read on about spooky … Plants Some plants provide treats. Others can be tricksters. Check out our infographic below to get the scoop on spooky plants. Visit the Garden this fall to meet them in person... if you …
    Type: Page
  • …   2 ounces extra virgin olive oil   2 ounces small pasta, e.g., orzo, anelli, cooked according to instructions   8 oz. dry white wine   8 oz. stock (fish, chicken, or vegetable)   4 oz. fresh …   Add tomatoes and saffron; cook for 1 minute at medium high heat.   Add stock and wine; bring to a boil, uncovered.   Add mussels; cover and cook on medium high to high heat until mussels open.   Add pasta and chopped herbs.   Toss lightly to combine.   …
    Type: Page
  • … Bluff, visiting winemakers can chat with the chef in his gourmet kitchen as he prepares a meal to accompany their libations. Colin presents his crab salad recipe here, featuring fresh …      Juice of 1 orange      ½ lemon      ½ cup extra virgin olive oil      Salt and pepper to taste      Mix all ingredients together, let sit for at least one hour in refrigerator.   For Garnish and Topping  1 pound of maché (lambs' lettuce)     4 fresh avocados, minced To Serve  Warm crab mixture on a small sheet pan in a 450°-degree oven for approximately 3-5 …
    Type: Page
  • … Monitor houseplants for insect problems that often occur when plants become stressed due to insufficient light, overheated rooms, or improper watering and fertilizing techniques. New houseplants or gift plants can also harbor pests. Isolate these plants before adding them to your collection. Pests to look out for include the following: Spider mites — Look for webbing … Mites are often difficult to see without a lens. Scale — Characteristic sticky, clear honeydew is produced on leaves by these small, immobile, rounded insects usually found on stems and veins …
    Type: Plant Info