Winter interest in your garden can be achieved in several ways. Planning requires careful consideration of your gardening space and your goals. When plants enter winter dormancy, evergreens generally retain the same form and color, while with deciduous plants, structural and textural characteristics become their main decorative feature. Grouping these structures and textures can [...]
With summer in full swing, everything is lush and green outside. How is your garden growing? If it's in need of something that's bolder and more interesting than the ubiquitous hosta or daylily, consider adding a large perennial with presence. These summer beauties stand out not only for their height and their flowers or [...]
A female cardinal waits to drink melting snow. Many beautiful bird species, such as the Cardinal, Blue Jay and Downy Woodpecker live in Chicago year-round. With a cold and bitter winter forecasted ahead, you can play a crucial part in helping our feathered friends make it to spring by providing them with water, [...]
We all love feeling a connection to nature and wildlife when we visit nearby parks and forest preserves. Have you ever thought about bringing that feeling home? There are many things you can do in your own yard to create a garden that attracts wildlife, regardless of how much space you have. You don’t need [...]
Here's a late bloomer that is well worth the wait. Spring and summer fly by, and this seemingly plain shrub looks like it wants to hide in the garden unnoticed. But when summer ends, watch out. Early Amethyst Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst') is about to take center stage. Why do we love this plant? For one, it's low [...]
A bird-friendly garden can be beautiful as well as functional. These visitors add another living dimension to the garden. It is possible to attract a variety of species to the garden throughout the year in the Chicago region. Birds have four major habitat needs: water, food, cover, and a place to raise their young. Water Birds require [...]