Are you aware of a hidden garden gem located on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, or of its historical significance? This garden, a project of The Garden Club of Evanston, was established in 1915 to celebrate the ties between England and America. It also commemorated the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The [...]
The garden, newly installed in November 2009. The garden the following summer. The English Walled Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden features six different garden “rooms”, paying homage to the contributions of English gardens over the centuries. English gardens mix annuals with perennials and appeal to the senses, and the sound of water plays an [...]
On a recent Saturday, three Nature's Perspective staffers, led by John Ciesielski, headed out to Lydia Home, a children and family services organization located in the northwest side of Chicago, to donate materials and work on their fenced 50' x 50' vegetable and flower garden. The group joined forces with Lydia's garden coordinator Imelda "Mel" Gonzales and [...]
Preparing your garden for winter As the season draws to a close there are a few basic things that we recommend be done prior to "putting your garden to bed" for the winter. It is important to clear the leaves from your lawn. Leaving the leaves on your lawn can smother the turf and encourage [...]
A well-planned landscape provides continuous, colorful inspiration as the seasons change. Autumn brings dramatic sweeps of brilliant color that last. As autumn colors fade, landscape plantings contrast starkly against winter whiteness to create a striking display of tree silhouettes, distinctive bark, colorful berries on shrubs and snow-dusted perennials rustling in the wind. You can add [...]
We all enjoy the colors of autumn leaves, delighting in their ephemeral beauty, knowing that all too soon their leaves will drop and winter will be here. Have you ever wondered why leaves change color? Plant leaves contain pigments that give them their color. The three primary pigments in a plant leaf are chlorophyll (which gives [...]
Along with the milder temperatures and beauty of fall comes an excellent opportunity for landscaping for your yard. The cooler weather is a signal for plants to stop growing new shoots and leaves above ground, but not below. Trees and shubs continue to extend their root systems, making fall an ideal time to plant. [...]
It's Hydrangea season! Almost everywhere you look at this time of year you'll see one kind or another of the Hydrangea family in glorious bloom. Hydrangea is an old fashioned plant with many new and improved cultivars. Some do well in shade, some prefer sun, but all of them bloom during the summer months, bringing [...]
Every so often, every gardener gets the urge to try something new and very different. Lavishly illustrated nursery catalogs and garden books as well as trips to the Chicago Botanic Garden feed our hunger to grow the most beautiful plants we can find. As in all aspects of life, we can't have everything we see [...]
A large, fragrant pair of moonflowers.Working all day and taking care of family and chores in the evening doesn’t leave time in the summer for leisurely enjoying a garden. When the daily pace finally slows down, the sun is setting and garden time has passed. Not necessarily! You can extend your enjoyment of your garden [...]