… Cream wild indigo is a native perennial featuring branching erect stems and showy white, pea-like flowers that bloom on 30-inch stems from May to June. This species is distinguished from the other white native false indigo, Baptisia leucantha , by its large … as wild or false indigo due to their use by early Americans as a blue dye. Although "indigo" is in the common name, the blooms of native species may be blue, yellow or white and the blooms …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Purple Smoke false indigo ( Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’) is a chance hybrid seedling that produces smoky violet flowers on upright racemes up to 1 foot in … The contrast between the flowers, the gray-green foliage, and the charcoal-colored stems is striking. Rob Gardener, former curator of the North Carolina Botanical Garden, discovered this … as wild or false indigo due to their use by early Americans as a blue dye. Although "indigo" is in the common name, the blooms of native species may be blue, yellow or white and the blooms …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… partnership with the Friends of the Chicago River and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. It is viewable from the North Branch Trail near Dundee Road. Now, as the earth awakens from winter, … Peter Nagle, managing ecologist, lakes and shorelines. “Some data suggests that once a pole is occupied it tends to have a nest the following year.” The osprey is at risk of disappearing as a breeding species. Ospreys are fish-eating raptors that migrate …
Type: Blog
… I care for my Christmas cactus when it stops blooming? A. Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera ) is one of the plants most often associated with the holidays because it usually blooms between … red, and purple and are usually sold in full bud with at least a few blooms. After the plant is finished blooming, it needs a resting period for about two months at which time very little, … remain outdoors until nighttime temperatures reach 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When the plant is brought inside, keep it in a cool room that remains dark after sunset to continue bud …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I would like to grow asparagus. How do I get started? A. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable crop that can be planted as soon as the ground is workable in the spring. Before planting, amend the soil with plenty of compost and apply a … for the first couple of years. Plan to harvest in year three when the diameter of the stems is larger than a pencil. Please contact Plant Information Service at (847) 835-8362 or …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. Should I remove snow from my shrubs? A. It is not necessary to remove light amounts of snow from trees and shrubs. However, heavy snowfalls … lessen the chance of accumulation. All broken branches will need to be removed. If the damage is severe and threatens the overall health of the tree or presents a safety hazard, the broken branches should be removed as soon as possible. If the damage is minimal, the broken branches should be removed at the appropriate time of the year. …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. Should I remove snow from my shrubs? A. It is not necessary to remove light amounts of snow from trees and shrubs. However, heavy snowfalls … lessen the chance of accumulation. All broken branches will need to be removed. If the damage is severe and threatens the overall health of the tree or presents a safety hazard, the broken branches should be removed as soon as possible. If the damage is minimal, the broken branches should be removed at the appropriate time of the year. …
Type: Plant Info
… Established roses need approximately 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. This is often provided by spring showers, but if there is not a sufficient amount of rainfall, supplement. Do not water unless the soil is dry; too much water will suffocate the roots. Apply a general-purpose fertilizer, such as …
Type: Plant Info
… noticed that some of my evergreens have become discolored. Should I be concerned? A: It is normal for the foliage of some evergreens, such as arborvitae ( Thuja ) and boxwood ( Buxus ), to change color in cold weather. The different color of the foliage in such species is not indicative of a pathogen or cultural disorder; it is a normal response to winter temperatures. Species that are known to change color in cold …
Type: Plant Info
… Cardinal is one of the more popular cultivars of the native redosier dogwood and is notable for the coral or cherry red of its stems in winter. In late spring it produces small … and over 2,400 plants. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer being updated. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant