The genus Spiraea consists of small to medium sized flowering shrubs with a fine-textured twiggy mounding habit. The small simple leaves are generally lance-shaped and held close to the branch. Spring to early summer abundant blooms tend to be in white or pink tones, depending on the species and/or cultivar. While individual flowers are quite small, they occur in clusters of inflorescence that …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
‘Lady in Black’ features purple foliage and stems that are topped by a mass of tiny pale pink to white flowers with rosy centers from September through October. It is a mounded perennial that grows 3 feet tall and wide and was rated highly in the aster trials held at the Garden. Great plant for attracting pollinating insects like honey bees, butterflies and moths. Pinch back the stems beginning …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Subtly flamed petals in pink and mauve transition to almost white at the edges of the petals on this tulip whose colors complement/contrast with a wide range of springs' vibrant color palette. Tulips grow best in full sun, well-drained, moisture-retentive soils that remain on the dry side during their summer dormancy period. Inter-planting between summer perennials whose root systems quickly soak …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Q: Please advise on the best time to prune hydrangeas. A: Hydrangeas require differing pruning times; therefore, it is critical to know which type you have before you prune. In addition to using the techniques explained below, always remove any winter-damaged branches in early spring. The climbing hydrangea ( Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris ) grows to 50 to 60 feet and only requires pruning to …
Type: Plant Info
I study how plant traits vary by populations and factor up to interactions that may influence whether species can coexist together in the long term. This is critical for understanding how the plants and their traits that we choose for restoration may hinder or promote restoration goals. I have an interest in root traits and I largely use restoration-targeted species in empirical research and use …
Type: Staff bio
New! Looking to grow your best garden yet? Join William Moss for an exciting and informative workshop covering various techniques for successful vegetable gardening in the Chicago area. Topics will cover tasks, techniques, and tips from winter to fall as well as basic botany, soil preparation, crop selection, rotation and planning, pest solutions, harvesting, and more. Demonstrations and …
Type: Item Detail
Q. Is it possible to grow a bay-leaf tree inside the house? A. Under the right circumstances, a bay tree, Laurus nobilis, makes a perfect specimen plant indoors during the winter and outside during the summer months. Bay trees are often sold in containers and occasionally have been trained into standards with one main trunk and a big ball of foliage at the top. The leaves can be picked fresh or …
Type: Plant Info
Q. What is the best way to get rid of crabgrass? A. If you have just a few isolated patches of this annual weed, you can either dig them out before they go to seed or spot-treat with an approved post-emergent herbicide spray. If your problem is more advanced, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in spring before the weeds emerge and before lilacs bloom. For severe infestations, a repeat application is …
Type: Plant Info
Q. How much sunlight is considered full sun? Part sun? Shade? A. Generally, six hours or more of direct sunlight per day is considered full sun. Partial sun is defined as three to six hours of direct sunlight. Dappled or filtered sunlight is generally found under deciduous trees and is especially noticeable under trees that are beginning to leaf out in the spring. When selecting plants based on …
Type: Plant Info
Q. I have discovered whiteflies on a few of my indoor plants. What’s the best remedy for controlling this pest? A. An advanced infestation of whitefly is very difficult to control. When bringing a new plant into your house in the future, inspect it carefully for any signs of either the flying insect or the black sooty mold that forms on the sticky exudate excreted by the whitefly. Spraying with …
Type: Plant Info
