… with unseasonably milder weather that may confuse and potentially harm plants. Monitor plants for signs of damage from animals, ice, snow, and/or wind. Try to avoid walking on your lawn and … don’ts Light pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs can be done this month. Heavy pruning is best done in late winter or very early spring before buds break. Protect evergreens from heavy snow and ice It’s best not to remove normal snow loads, and let them melt in place. This approach comes with a few caveats: If heavy snow anchors large evergreen branches to …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I would like to bring some of my patio plants indoors for the winter. Is it necessary to change the soil or repot them first? A. Most plants do not appreciate being repotted in early fall. This chore is best done in spring right before a plant begins its new growth. If your patio plants are insect- … their pot size should be increased at that time too. Check the undersides of pots and saucers for any insects, and consider spraying your plants with an insecticidal soap before bringing them …
Type: Plant Info
… You may already know Persian Shield. It’s been available for many years both as a houseplant and, in our Northern climate, a bedding annual. While it can be grown in the sun, the foliage develops its best color in part to full shade. There, the puckered leaves shimmer in iridescent shades of … relatively pest-free plant is easy to grow with moderate watering. And it’s a great foil for other shade lovers, from ferns and hostas to the brightest impatiens. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… beneath a tuft of leaves; visually, their inflorescence resembles a pineapple. This is the best cultivar among all of the Fritillaria imperialis offerings for naturalizing in the Chicago area. The plant prefers well-drained soils that are moist during … and then dry throughout the rest of the year. Bulbs smell like skunk spray and are great for planting among tulips, crocuses, and other bulbs to repel rabbits and deer. Crown imperial …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… habitat, it is beneficial to wildlife and the environment. It grows quickly to form thickets for animal shelter and improves the soil through nitrogen fixation. Its fallen leaves stabilize … root system, marked by vigorous production of stump and root suckers, makes it undesirable for residential use. It grows best in full sun to part shade and is attractive to birds. Archived Copy: This content was …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… In the calm and cold of the new year, it's tempting to hibernate and rest up for the tilling and planting to come. But January is prime time for another kind of preparation: learning all you can to make this growing season your best ever. Sure, you could stay home and read books or browse websites. But a winter or spring class or workshop is a better place to start. You can ask questions, get guidance for further research, and meet other people …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. What are the current guidelines for planting trees and shrubs in the fall? A. Many trees and shrubs can be quite successfully planted in the fall. The moderate days and cooler night temperatures are ideal for planting. The warm soil and the return of autumnal rains provide good conditions for woody … and should be planted no later than October 1, or in the spring. Marginal ornamental trees are best planted in spring. They include: Japanese maples, kousa and flowering dogwood, redbud, …
Type: Plant Info
… daily. Discover their life cycle, species found in Illinois, and their habitats. Learn the best equipment and settings to capture images of these insects with amazing detail. The first … will be held at the Garden, and the second will consist of a field trip to local hotspots for instruction and practice. In the final session at the Garden, review images and make live Lightroom edits. Transportation is on your own for the field trip. Class is limited to DSLR or mirrorless cameras. A telephoto lens, ideally 100 …
Type: Item Detail
… plants are still developing their root system in the third year, spears should not be removed for more than one month during the first season, so as not to weaken the plants. During subsequent seasons, spears may be harvested from their first emergence in the spring for as long as eight to ten weeks. Harvest spears that are 5 to 8 inches long by cutting or snapping them. To cut a spear, place the knife just under the soil line directly next to the spear you want to harvest. Cut it …
Type: Plant Info
… hydrangeas to test three methods: Specimen 1 Dipped the stem in alum (a food additive used for pickling or canning) Specimen 2 Added Quick Dip powder to the water Specimen 3 Smashed … with the smashed stem wilted on Day 3. The hydrangea with only plant food performed the best but began to wilt on Day 7. We learned that we should have asked the Garden’s … take a vessel of water with you when cutting or buying. And it’s good to recut the stems and place them in boiling water to promote water uptake. Also, using clean water and sterile water …
Type: Blog
