… , the stark white trunks of native sweet birch (Betula lenta) stand out on overcast days. Look for paperbark maples (Acer griseum) and Peking lilacs (Syringa pekinensis) and discover the … cedar (Thuja plicata) has dark green, scale-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Look for the delicate brown cones near the tips of the branches. The deeply furrowed bark of dawn … be cut back in early spring. So grab your coat, hat, gloves, and scarf and come out for a visit. There’s much to see. Written by Nina Koziol, garden writer and horticulturist who lives …
Type: Plant Info
… with Little Bulbs Their basic requirements are just like a daffodil's: plant in fall, so they get a good winter's chill; sun; and fertile, well-drained soil. Some can tolerate more shade than … to bloom earlier, before the trees leaf out. They need moisture to bloom, but they usually get it in a Chicago spring. With their light texture, little bulbs can romp charmingly between … Many are even relatively unpalatable to squirrels, and in the right spot, they will live for many years. Challenges In the erratic midwestern climate, the biggest danger to all bulbs …
Type: Plant Info
… A quick primer for successful combinations Every gardener is an artist. After all, you “paint” your garden with … canna lilies, orange zinnias, red-leaved fountain grass, and chartreuse coleus makes for a hot-colored tapestry that feels tropical and exotic. At the other extreme is a grouping of … that is a sprawling suburban lot. Understanding how color combinations work can help you get the most out of your garden, big or small. Here's to Hue Most people see a violet afterimage …
Type: Plant Info
… prefer? Shake, rattle—and grow? The idea that music can help plants grow has been studied for decades, with classical music usually winning. Spotify begs to differ. The music streaming service released its Hardcore Gardening Playlist for Plants in May, inspired by research that claims plants grow better when exposed to the … The Orchid Show: India Blooms , February 8 to March 23. Move over, wine lovers. Gardeners can get quippy, too. Ever notice that wine lovers have no shortage of merchandise bearing snappy …
Type: Blog
The Dark Net baptisia cultivar gets its name from the network of tall black stems that arise bearing white flowers prior to the appearance of any foliage. Members of the genus Baptisia are commonly known 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 of …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Faded Blue Jeans false indigo gets its cultivar name from the multiple tones of soft lavender blue in its blooms. Members of the genus Baptisia are commonly known 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 of newer hybrids may include lavenders and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
This plant is commonly called a coral embers willow because of its coral colored branches that are visible when the leaves have fallen. The coral embers willow can be grown as a shrub by pruning it close to the ground. Alternatively, it can be allowed to grow into a tree (up to 80’). This willow gets its name from the new growth that is a beautiful red in the winter. It blooms from April to May …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
Gold n Rubies spirea gets its names from its golden foliage and ruby-colored flower buds, which open to pink flowers. It is one of the smallest spireas. The Spiraea japonica species includes the greatest range of cultivars available to the home gardener within the Spiraea genus. They all have a compact mounding habit in sizes ranging from 18" to 5' that makes them useful in borders and smaller …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… muddy boots and thorn-snagged pants, giving back to the landscapes they love. “I think caring for the natural world brings out the best in people,” said Stevens. The swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Source: Doug McGrady. And that care leads to wins for elusive rare species. Take the swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Once classified as … than 550 rare plant populations stretch across the forest preserves—far more than staff can visit annually. Volunteer finding the white lady's slipper orchid ( Cypripedium candidum ). Its …
Type: Blog
… A walk through the Dwarf Conifer Garden is truly a plant lover’s feast for the eyes. It’s difficult to decide where to look next; what new magnificent specimens await … with new vistas, views, and plant discoveries revealed at every turn, and at every level. For as the garden clearly demonstrates, not all dwarf conifers are found by looking down. … of the year, especially in winter. Download a guide for the Dwarf Conifer Garden before you visit. Considering dwarf conifers for your landscape? Read on or take a class . The American …
Type: Walks
