… inspired by the bright, high-held flower spikes of the tall species, comes from the Greek word for "flame." Although some species have become common garden plants all over the world, nearly … leaves shriveled, brown, and dusty-looking. Finding a better phlox has been a years-long goal for Richard Hawke, manager of plant evaluations. In his sunny outdoor laboratory, the Bernice E. … resistance, but its hardiness, sturdiness, and willingness to put on a show. The mildew-free top performer was Phlox paniculata 'Shortwood'. The name is a joke; the fragrant flower …
Type: Plant Info
… collected by the National Weather Service ( NOAA.gov ) states that the “normal” April snowfall for the Chicago area is 1.3 inches. That’s nothing compared to the 7.9 inches of snow the area … becomes dew or frost). Discover More Weather Information Spring Bird Migration Five Essentials for Any Garden Cold Weather Feeding the Birds Frost or freeze? These two terms are often … Seeds of very hardy vegetables can be sown outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the spring frost-free date. Try something new like kale, if you haven’t grown it before. This cold-tolerant …
Type: Plant Info
… May is the month to look for warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, and some shorebirds, as they migrate through the … the weather report if you want to see these beauties while they are passing through. The good news is that there are a few warblers that actually nest in our area, so if you miss them during … but its song sounds like one. Join me and #birdthepreserves. My top five migration places to visit in the spring are the Chicago Botanic Garden, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (the magic …
Type: Blog
… Persistence can be a good trait for prairie plants. Take this tale of the return of the Hill’s thistle ( Cirsium hillii ) to the Dixon Prairie at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I’m the assistant ecologist for the natural areas at the Garden. While managing some tall vegetation on the gravel hill of … prefers drier prairies with less competition from taller plants. A number of species of bees visit and pollinate this plant. The plant is believed to be monocarpic, which means the plant …
Type: Blog
… whether the plants can recover. “There’s not a lot you can do at this point but make a note for fall to protect the plants. For now, it’s scout and monitor your garden once or twice a week.” Be Proactive Tiddens is taking … Resources Deer-resistant plants, voles, and preventing animal damage . More related topic, visit our Plant Information Service . Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who …
Type: Plant Info
… into my wheelbarrow and onto the beds and borders as a soil amendment. The best part—besides free compost—is the small amount of garbage our household produces as a result. Everyday … landfills, and facilities that burn everyone’s trash are out-of-sight, out-of-mind topics for many. But, it all stays right here. On planet Earth. The amount of waste—including food … process. There are compost bins that sit on the ground and have slots in the sides for aeration and a lid to keep out animals. Or you can make your own three-sided bin out of …
Type: Blog
… pollinators and that each pollinator has a specific flower type that they are attracted to. For hummingbirds, many gardeners and scientists alike have long assumed their flower type to be … strikingly red, tubular, and scentless. Flowers that are often thought of as typical choices for hummingbirds: Wyoming paintbrush Castilleja linariifolia Giant red paintbrush … hummingbirds do have a sense of smell. So why would hummingbirds go out of their way to visit a limited selection of reddish, long-tubed, scentless flowers that produce cheaper nectar …
Type: Blog
… April in the Garden is all about anticipation, with each day bringing new discoveries, news oohs and aahs. What a magnificent season to walk the cultivated gardens and the natural … with all companions. What would spring be without pansies? The sweet star of the troughs is Free-Flowering, a lovable orange viola. The Formal Circle Garden In the more formal, full-sun … Garden offers some exceptional plant combinations in this April and further into spring. Look for the spectacular colors of tulips in shades of yellow, pink, and red. On either side of the …
Type: Walks
… no rain, it’s tricky to figure out how and what to water. Our experts have some watering tips for your summer garden and containers. Know what you are watering weekly A general watering rule … to evaporate quickly, too. —Cool nights or warm this week? Cool nights slow evaporation. For some gardeners, an electronic or written garden journal is a helpful tool for plotting … are available through the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District website . In Lake County, visit the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County website for plastic rain barrels. An internet search …
Type: Plant Info
… jonquil, narcissus, paperwhite—but all are members of the genus Narcissus—the botanical name for all daffodils. Some people refer to any yellow daffodil as a jonquil. However, jonquil … Daffodil sap is toxic to other flowers placed in a vase, so before combining them with tulips, for example, place the daffodils stems in cool water for a few hours to let the sap run free. Provide fresh water and add stems of other flowers. Change the water every few days and you …
Type: Plant Info
