… Semitropical Greenhouse, and visitors are loving it. As they learn more about the coming bloom from the docents posted there, one of the most frequently ask questions is, “How could you tell … whether a titan arum shoot is a flower or a leaf at first. But soon enough, the clues start to add up. An Amorphophallus titanum shoot to the right of a leaf stalk provides … The emerging Amorphophallus titanum plant looks leafy, unlike the smooth spadix that emerges from a flower bud. Spike is 12 years old. We know from other botanic gardens and …
Type: Blog
… new growth begins to appear. Greening up your winter If your garden feels drab right now, start considering places to add evergreen perennials. Think about adding them in places that you … bergenias in a partly sunny spot that is moist, but not wet. The common name, pigsqueak, comes from the sound that is made by rubbing a leaf between your fingers. You’ll find several varieties … clump. In spring, cute fuzzy fiddleheads emerge out of the dark former fronds. You can start your own colony of Christmas ferns by digging up mature plants and dividing them into …
Type: Blog
… will continue to develop throughout summer and well through autumn, when they transition from dark purple to a bright burgundy (some gardeners claim the color is more like magenta, but … An alternative would be to buy transplants and pop them in wherever you want them. Leaves from transplants can be harvested after 55 days whereas seed-grown plants need to wait for 75 … It also contains the highest anti-oxidant properties of any fruit or vegetable. It’s time to start cooking! Lee Randhava is a horticultural writer who lives and gardens in Evanston, Illinois. …
Type: Plant Info
… rose (Helleborus orientalis) blooms in very early spring when most perennials have yet to start growing. Although the flowers and leaves may droop after a snowfall, they soon recover. Stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) gets its unfortunate name from the unpleasant scent that results when the leaves or flowers are bruised. The plant produces … pink, purple, green, dark burgundy, deep rose, speckled, or bicolored. Plants range in size from about 9 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. Hellebores contain toxic chemicals and …
Type: Plant Info
… often have periods of hot weather and little rain. Without adequate water, plants can suffer from drought stress and stressed plants are an invitation to insects. Spider mites, flea beetles, … can be found on many annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees where they suck the fluids from leaves. Mites are extremely small and difficult to see without a hand lens or magnifying … plants well watered and they can withstand a mite feast. A summer downpour or a forceful spray from a hose will knock them off the plants. Chemical controls should be used only as a last …
Type: Plant Info
… so their bloom now coincides with our colder months. Although the tiny flowers can range from yellow, orange, and pink, it is the red- and white-flowering varieties that tend to dominate … Some cut the arching green stem back to a healthy node in the hopes that a new stem will arise from that cut. Others wait until the entire stem yellows and then cut it off at the base. …
Type: Plant Info
… a journal, birdwatch, or just daydream. (Avid gardeners take note: it’s o.k. to take a break from spring sowing, planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, or mowing and … but soothing, secluded, and peaceful. A garden can be a rejuvenating oasis, offering respite from the pressures of day-to-day activities. The garden is also a place where you can reflect on … and listen to the sounds around you. Breathe Easy Once you’re seated, turn your thoughts away from the many daily distractions that cause stress and worry. Focus on things such as specific …
Type: Plant Info
… later at the Garden Café. Stop 2: McDonald Woods: Council ring Secret Space #1 is .36 miles from the Visitor Center. At the heart of the woods is a secret circle called a council ring. Jens … in a council ring? Stop 3: Green Roof Garden (N.) Secret Space #2 is approximately .6 miles from the Visitor Center. A garden on a roof? Upstairs at the Plant Science Center, there's a … the scientists in action. Stop 4: Marsh Island Secret Space #3 is approximately .75 miles from the Visitor Center. Follow the prairie paths down to the boardwalk that connects to Marsh …
Type: Page
… object like your shoe. Most importantly, always use the eyepiece. Holding the camera away from your body to compose using live view will cause more camera shake. Yep, you can move your … light trails and unlock a new realm of possibility. Experimenting is the best way to learn. Start by moving your camera in a continuous path while pressing the shutter. Move your whole body … Find a shutter speed that works for you. (I set my camera at a half-second and adjust from there.) Zooming in and out creates light trails that converge. If you try this at home, it …
Type: Blog
… up that lasts more than a few days, some plants could be tricked into breaking dormancy and start sending water to their buds; the buds will swell. Those buds could get damaged by more cold … In fall, you can prepare newly planted trees by wrapping the trunks to protect them from pest or salt damage. A layer of mulch on garden beds placed after the ground freezes, but before the snow hits, keeps perennials protected from the freeze/thaw cycle. The mulch layer insulates the roots from extreme temperatures, in …
Type: Blog
