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  • … Then a lot of leaves, and finally a flower! And recently, the plant produced what I think is its largest red blossom ever. It took some time, but somehow, we found in the earth what it …
    Type: Blog
  • … steep prairie hillsides and swampy lowlands as a Plants of Concern volunteer, his mission is, at once, straightforward and profound: find endangered plants, count them, and alert the land … “I was surprised at just how much of a personal investment I’ve taken. When a plant population is doing well, I feel like a proud parent.” Plants of Concern—a community science program at the … ). Once classified as endangered in Illinois, it grows in swampy, hard-to-reach places and is easy to overlook. After volunteers began reporting swollen sedge populations in new locations, …
    Type: Blog
  • … in the ground. Vines require very little lateral room at planting time since their growth is mostly up and outward. They can work their way into tight spots before breaking loose on a … to cement, brick, wood and even metal. In the case of climbing hydrangea, rootlet strength is such that homeowners in brick homes who value their tuckpointing are advised to weigh the … Chicago Area Perennial Vine Recommendations Boston ivy ( Parthenocissus tricuspidata ) This is a New England classic with shapely green leaves that blaze scarlet in autumn sun. As …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … promotes flowering. Follow the instructions on the label so that only the correct amount is used. Too much fertilizer can damage the roots.   What’s growing out your windows? Besides a … where you got that beautiful floral arrangement, you can point to the windows.   Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos Park, Illinois …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … want to be open at ground level—the better to get a good dose of sunshine. An overgrown rose is thick and congested at ground level, which results in lots of fuzzy tip growth instead of … our Rose Garden, heirloom roses line the back path behind the arbor. This "old garden" section is stunning in May and June, as the air is heavy with the scent of 'Robin Hood' and 'Comte de Chambord'.   Work safely Pruning …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … A walk through the Dwarf Conifer Garden is truly a plant lover’s feast for the eyes. It’s difficult to decide where to look next; what … specimens await behind the bend in the path, or tempt at the top of the steps. The garden is sited on a hill, where this fascinating group of plants known as dwarf conifers can receive … range of conifer habits, visitors can’t help but also notice their intriguing colors. Green is only one of the striking colors visible. Two-toned conifers are the stars of spring, when …
    Type: Walks
  • … community engagement manager, will be there to show people how to use the Budburst app, which is available on iOS or Android . The event, which starts at 11 a.m., includes a guided walk … —really just anyone who has an interest in plants. That’s usually the entry point.” Fall is a great time to observe changes in the woods, said Matt Evans, the Garden’s managing ecologist … fun and interesting near you, take a picture, try to identify it, and let us know what you see—is this the beginning of leaf color change or the end? Are the leaves falling off the tree yet? …
    Type: Blog
  • … much joy and satisfaction, but the blooms never last as long as you would like. My first urge is to take pictures. But there is another way to preserve this ephemeral beauty: drying flowers. If you’ve walked through the … A great native flower to try. The blue flowers stay true. Lady’s mantle: In most cases, it is best to remove the leaves before drying—lady’s mantle is the exception. Sunflowers: …
    Type: Blog
  • … and hummingbirds. Some serve as host plants for egg-laying butterflies. For example, pipevine is the only host plant for the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. Hops vines are host plants for the … and vanilla. Flowering jasmine, which can be grown in a pot and brought indoors come fall, is highly fragrant as are sweet peas. Climbing Hydrangea Twining and Clasping Vines grow by … annual and perennial vines like medium-moist, well-drained loamy soil. If your planting spot is mostly clay, amend it first with compost so the roots can easily travel through the soil to …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … starter kits have sprouted every spring for the last ten years,” notes Google. “‘Plant mom’ is the new ‘dog mom.’” In 2023, stories on plants in popular culture often reflected ways in … the audio element. Courtesy Tel Aviv University via Cell Press   Tallapalooza Tallapalooza is not on the list, but tall plants are rock stars in our book. Do you name your plants? With … plant story Twenty-eight percent of Americans have hugged their plants, according to a Trees.com survey—but if the plants don’t respond to touch, does it still count? As it turns out, some …
    Type: Blog