… Leaves are intriguing—with all their shapes, colors, textures, and their incredible ability to harness the energy of the sun. But when you come to realize that there is a whole world living within them, you can’t help but be amazed. Imagine driving into a parking … America . The details of the publication can be found at Charlie’s website charleyeiseman.com/leafminers. …
Type: Blog
… , when they see one. The eastern gray squirrels in our region build dreys in trees for shelter and protection from the elements. What you see as a messy clump of leaves is actually a structure formed from sticks and then lined with leaves and other materials to make it a dry and cozy home. This month I was …
Type: Blog
… The flowers of the dwala aloe are produced in multibranched panicles and can come in yellow, orange, coral pink, or red colors. The attractive turquoise-colored … can produce large clumps over time in climates where they are hardy outdoors, in USDA Zone 9 and higher. Container-grown plants should be potted in well-drained soils containing decomposed …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… witch hazels, although native from Missouri to Texas, are fully hardy in the Chicago area and are a welcome harbinger of spring. These are medium-sized shrubs or small trees with an upright stiff habit. The leaves are large and irregularly toothed. The flowers are small thread-like yellow petals that emerge from a dark …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… It happens every year—like Groundhog Day—and I have the same déjà vu annually! Each winter for the past more than 20 years, I have supervised and worked on the pruning of the apple orchard at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden . Since … March to begin pruning and complete the work before the buds begin to plump and open, as this is the optimal window to prune apple trees for plant health. Over the years, I have been in every …
Type: Blog
… In gardening, as in life, patience is a virtue. Twelve years ago, the Garden embarked on a mission to bring a rock star of the plant … of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the titan arum is distinguished by its large size, odd shape, and terrible stench (hence its common name, corpse flower). Plants bloom for a single day every seven to ten years, and it is nearly impossible to predict the day it will be at the peak of bloom. When those …
Type: Blog
… Butterflies are beautiful, magical, and mysterious creatures. Sara Longwing ©Carol Freeman They have to among nature’s greatest achievements. Their transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is truly mind-boggling when you really think about it. Seeing one is a joy. Seeing hundreds at … of photographing butterflies at Butterflies & Blooms in the summer. I had a wonderful time, and was just thrilled with the variety of butterflies and the quality of the plantings. When …
Type: Blog
… now. Why not help create some in nature? Try your hand at ephemeral nature art. It’s simple and relaxing, and something the whole family can do. Ephemeral art uses found materials and is created and left in the environment. It is temporary and evolving. The materials can include …
Type: Blog
… perennial. Thrives in hot dry conditions in summer. Water enough to establish the plants and then thereafter during droughts. Attracts pollinators to the garden. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… green flowers that complement the dark purple black leaves. Plant in full sun, dry soils and provide a companion plant or structure for this species to clamber over. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
