… camp counselors, hikers, gardeners, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors to become familiar with its characteristics in all seasons. It can grow as a sprawling ground cover, a woody shrub, … its compound leaf composed of three leaflets. Each leaflet can be between 2 and 4 inches long, with pointed tips. The middle leaflet is generally the largest of the three. The leaflets might … in fall the plant will turn scarlet if grown in full sun. Two plants that are often confused with poison ivy are Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) and fragrant sumac ( Rhus …
Type: Plant Info
… bat. The silver-haired bat is a medium-sized bat that is a dark chocolate brown or black with white hairs scattered among the dark hairs on its back. I gently released the bark so as not … true flight (unlike flying squirrels—which we also have at the Garden). You might be familiar with another group of small mammals known as shrews. Shrews are mouse-like animals that are … the late fall, while using fine nets at night to capture owls to attach U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bird bands, I often caught many of the large, hoary bats migrating south for the winter. …
Type: Blog
… or a hard freeze that can ruin them. So when you plant early, have a plan for covering crops with floating row covers (or old sheets) when temperatures below 32 degrees are predicted at … a bit more moderate than farther away from Lake Michigan. Your own garden may not warm up as fast. The best way to know when to start sowing is to get a soil thermometer (less than $5) and … That's often in mid-March, depending on where you are. A couple of weeks later, follow up with crops that like soil slightly warmer: kale, bok choi, radicchio, cabbage and collards; …
Type: Plant Info
… plant populations across the northern range of the species. Their goal was to collect trees with novel traits, or genes, which would be beneficial for future breeding. When the team … Moving into New Jersey, he and his team next gathered additional cuttings. Working closely with project partner Joe Rothleutner, tree and shrub breeder at the Morton Arboretum , and other … samples were packaged for propagation. The collection project was funded by the U.S. Forest Service and American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The challenges along the way made …
Type: Blog
… it was dubbed the "queen" of the scented herb garden. A member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with its silvery foliage and tall lavender flowers, this herb is an attractive addition to any … plants. On the other hand, more traditional lavenders can provide deep vibrancy in midsummer with their richly scented lavender, purple, or pink blooms. Although the entire plant is … fertility. In fact, the drier the soil, the more oil the plant's glands will produce. It is an excellent drought-tolerant plant for the rock garden or in xeriscapes. It is also a worthy member …
Type: Plant Info
… At the mere mention of chokeberry, some gardeners envision a rapidly spreading wetland plant with a profusion of suckering stems. These characteristics of the common red chokeberry, Aronia … certainly deserves its rising popularity — and serious consideration for your garden. With a smaller, more pleasing form than its red-fruiting relative, the aesthetically pleasing … percent) but thrives in full sun. Hardy to zone 3 (the Chicago area is zone 5), it is also an excellent choice for those tough, low-lying wet areas where only moss and mosquitoes flourish. …
Type: Plant Info
… there exist certain flowers that have entwined themselves in our past. We associate them with happy memories of childhood, with family celebrations, and with traditions. Lilacs, most certainly, are a part of many of our … Syringa x prestoniae (the Preston hybrid lilac) Syringa x prestoniae 'Hiawatha' These fast-growing lilacs were developed in Canada and bloom two weeks later than the common lilac in …
Type: Plant Info
… Garden To-Do List Garden debris removal Amend soil with compost Some planting can begin Supporting pollinators Annual and Perennial Care Plant … as soon as the leaf buds begin to swell and open. Contact the Garden’s Plant Information Service for exact timing and recommended fungicides. Fruit, Vegetable, and Herb Care Sow seeds … techniques vary for grapevines. For additional information, contact the Plant Information Service to order Plant Information Fact Sheet #36, “Pruning Grapevines.” Lawn Care Indoor Plant …
Type: Plant Info
… of your dreams. Winter resolutions Hang a bird feeder. Build a compost bin . Invest in an excellent pruner. (Find a variety of garden tools at The Garden Shop! ) Order seeds for heirloom … pear tree into an espalier. Ask your grandparents what they grew in their gardens. Swap seeds with fellow gardeners at our Seed Swap . Become a volunteer for Plants of Concern . Get to know … , the 2016 Herb of the Year. Provide a water source for bees and butterflies. Experiment with edible landscaping : mix vegetables and flowers together in beds and borders. Transform a …
Type: Plant Info
… winter winds can dry evergreen leaves. The site should have well-drained, acidic soil amended with large amounts of leafy, humus-rich organic matter. Excellent drainage is crucial for rhododendrons, especially in areas with heavy clay soils, such as northeastern Illinois. The roots require an exceptional amount of …
Type: Plant Info
