… garden? You’ll save money and you only have to step outside to collect whatever you need for a vase or two. Got Sun? A little sunny spot along a garage wall, a deck, patio, or in a side … fertilizer can damage the roots. What’s growing out your windows? Besides a dedicated area for cut flowers, you may be growing other plants that are suitable. Go foraging for flowers in … Or pick some fragrant viburnum flowers or a colorful hydrangea and pop them into a Ball jar. Visit your vegetable garden for a few stems of kale, Swiss chard, twirling pea stems, or dill …
Type: Plant Info
… colors and unusual shapes, gourds are not only beautiful, but are also a wonderful medium for craftspeople. Carve, wax, stain, or varnish them; paint or dye them; use wood-burning tools … with thick, soft shells; and the less commonly grown luffa gourds that are valued in Europe for their spongy interiors. Lagenaria gourds come in several different shapes that define their … since all of them are smaller than 6 inches. Growing Gourds Gourds require at least 120 frost-free days to mature. Therefore, they should be started indoors in March and moved outside to the …
Type: Plant Info
… yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. Its narrow leaves are blue-green. Plant it in full sun for best flowering. Creating a pleasing border in our midwestern climate requires more than … most perennials cannot match in this region's short growing season. When the perennials vanish for the winter, shrubs provide a welcome presence. Some of the best border choices are smaller … with the midseason bulbs. Its delicate leaves have an attractive white edge, and its arching, free-form habit makes it a good combination with perennials. It prefers partial shade. …
Type: Plant Info
… people. Her house in the Hudson Valley was full of exotic tropicals and orchids that she cared for meticulously. And yet she was always ready to give them away when anyone showed an interest in one, which for me was every visit. She would carefully divide an established plant that she had nurtured for decades, wrap up …
Type: Blog
… few native plants to your garden. They can offer food, shelter, nesting material, and a place for insects and birds to lay their eggs. They tolerate the vagaries of an ever-changing climate. … nearly three billion since 1970, a number that scientists have called staggering. The reasons for the decline are numerous, but habitat loss and the resulting lack of food plays a significant … pears or rhododendrons. A lack of insects—especially caterpillars—means little or no food for hatchlings. Adult birds must spend energy flying longer distances from the nest looking for …
Type: Plant Info
… More plants! Although several perennials can be divided in late summer, spring is a good time for this task. That’s because temperatures are cool and the soil is usually moist. Dividing … such as yarrow (Achillea) and beebalm (Monarda). It’s also a fun way to increase plants for your garden or your gardening friends. Achillea Monarda For Siberian irises, dig up the … perennial gardening courses and much more. Get more information on perennial topics . Visit our Plant Information Service and find information on common pests and problems, and more. …
Type: Plant Info
… group of Cattleyas . Its compact habit, along with its strong, wonderful fragrance, and free-flowering nature are the most distinguishing features of the species. From a single sheath, … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… , the stark white trunks of native sweet birch (Betula lenta) stand out on overcast days. Look for paperbark maples (Acer griseum) and Peking lilacs (Syringa pekinensis) and discover the … cedar (Thuja plicata) has dark green, scale-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Look for the delicate brown cones near the tips of the branches. The deeply furrowed bark of dawn … be cut back in early spring. So grab your coat, hat, gloves, and scarf and come out for a visit. There’s much to see. Written by Nina Koziol, garden writer and horticulturist who lives …
Type: Plant Info
… muddy boots and thorn-snagged pants, giving back to the landscapes they love. “I think caring for the natural world brings out the best in people,” said Stevens. The swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Source: Doug McGrady. And that care leads to wins for elusive rare species. Take the swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Once classified as … than 550 rare plant populations stretch across the forest preserves—far more than staff can visit annually. Volunteer finding the white lady's slipper orchid ( Cypripedium candidum ). Its …
Type: Blog
… 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 new magnificent specimens await … with new vistas, views, and plant discoveries revealed at every turn, and at every level. For as the garden clearly demonstrates, not all dwarf conifers are found by looking down. … of the year, especially in winter. Download a guide for the Dwarf Conifer Garden before you visit. Considering dwarf conifers for your landscape? Read on or take a class . The American …
Type: Walks
