… theme at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Mistletoe—a plant that typically inspires romance—is actually a parasite. The plant’s roots penetrate the bark of a host plant and steal its … had brought a kayak from home, and Toth was an experienced paddler. “It’s not very often I get to incorporate a kayak into forestry work,” said Lesko, “and I was not-so-secretly hoping we …
Type: Blog
… for cooking or decoration, a good pumpkin has the same external characteristics. It should be free from scratches, soft or rotten spots, and cracks, and should feel heavy relative to its size. Shape is unimportant. There should be 3 to 4 inches of dry stem attached to the pumpkin. If you are … with dark markers or paint instead of carving your pumpkin will prolong its life. Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A and fiber, and can be prepared in a number of ways besides …
Type: Plant Info
… Named by the Society of Municipal Arborists as the 2012 Urban Tree of the Year, Accolade™ elm is one of the top-performing trees for urban and residential planting in the Chicago region. This hybrid elm provides the iconic vase-shape American elm habit but is resistant to Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetle. State Street ™ miyabe maple ( Acer miyabei 'Morton') This maple is very hardy and free of pest and disease issues. The golden-yellow fall color, uniform habit, and tolerance to …
Type: Plant Info
… to many gardeners because they have either grown it, eaten it, or admired it as a tiny topiary is the versatile herb, rosemary. Rosmarinus officinalis is an evergreen shrub hardy to zone 6. In its native Mediterranean environment, it can reach 6 … and rotating insecticidal soap with a lightweight horticultural oil will help keep the foliage free of pests. In spring, repot only if the plant is losing vigor or is extremely potbound. …
Type: Plant Info
… “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ―Chinese proverb Warm, sunny days and cool nights have ushered in autumn. Before you … choose a small, spring-flowering ornamental tree. Now’s the time to shop and plant. “October is great for planting,” says Tim Johnson, the Garden’s senior director of horticulture. “Any tree …
Type: Plant Info
… corsage orchid or “the queen of flowers,” Jenman’s Cattleya orchid ( Cattleya jenmanii ) is a dwarf-pseudobulb member of the large-flowered 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, … on tree branches and as a lithophyte on rock outcroppings. In nature, Cattleya jenmanii is reported to flower twice a year; in cultivation, however, it is normally only an autumn …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… View Classes Carlson’s Outdoor Photo Tips Light Controlling light in photography is important. “Often the snow looks gray or blue in winter photos; this is because there’s an … morning or in the afternoon as the sun begins to set. “At those times of day in winter, you get the added benefit of ice crystal reflection on the snow, causing a sparkling effect. Snow … down, which sometimes results in a loss of the images. It’s not a storage device, so once you get home, transfer the images from the card to your computer, a portable device, or the Cloud.” …
Type: Plant Info
… compound called capsaicin. The body often reacts to capsaicin by sweating, which some suggest is one reason hot peppers are popular in hot climates. In northern climates, peppers tend to be … mildness and eaten green—perhaps partly because the growing season is too short and cool to get them really ripe. Recently, though, a vogue for hot peppers has led breeders to introduce … kind of summer that is pretty much guaranteed in Bolivia, but not in Chicago. You'll need a site in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, amended with plenty of compost or other organic …
Type: Plant Info
… as moths, ready to lay their eggs for the next year. Damage The soft rot spread by the larvae is the most serious injury caused by borers. Untreated, borers can heavily infest iris plantings, destroying many plants. Treatment & Solutions Sanitation is critical to successful control of borers. Cleaning up and destroying all plant debris in the fall will get rid of eggs laid during the summer. Leaving the rhizomes partially exposed when planting can …
Type: Plant Info
… Voilá! 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. … throughout the summer. Hostas looking a bit crowded last year? Split them now and get two to three times the plants! Rejuvenation Dividing helps breathe new life into crowded … wide range of hands-on gardening classes including perennial gardening courses and much more. Get more information on perennial topics . Visit our Plant Information Service and find …
Type: Plant Info
