Knowledge and resources about plants and planting are so vast they can be overwhelming. The best approach is to take advantage of information based on your areas of interest and then seek the guidance of a plant professional. Your local nursery or garden center has inspired people ready to offer advice.
When spring’s flowering trees and shrubs start winding down, landscapes can fall short on color – unless you plan ahead. Shrubs that begin blooming as spring comes to an end provide beauty and color just when you need it. These five low-maintenance flowering shrubs light up landscapes with months of summer blooms. As an added bonus, these beauties are pollinator favorites, too.
Summer is still going strong, but fall is on the way! Are you planning to continue your harvest into autumn this year? If so, now is the time to start planning (and planting). There are so many interesting crops that thrive in fall weather. See the best vegetables for fall gardening!
Hosta is virtually carefree and comes back reliably year after year. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, this tough plant performs well in most landscapes, even for beginning gardeners.
Homeowners are always telling us about the damage their dog does to their yard. If you are a dog owner, then your landscape probably has at least a couple, probably more, yellow spots where the grass has been damaged by urine or water.
There may be a lot of hungry rabbits and deer in your area, which means damage is near for your plants and garden. Check your existing plantings for feeding. Chicken wire is a quick fix to prevent more feeding.
o attracts bugs and mosquitoes! Fortunately, there are several ways to repel bugs, and the best way is to plant bug repellant plants so you wont have to worry about buying a pesticide solution; these plants’ oils repel bad bugs naturally!
There’s something special about the color orange. It’s bright and effervescent like a mimosa, yet warm and serene like a sunset. In color therapy, orange is used to stimulate creativity, pleasure, optimism, and productivity. Filling your landscape with vibrant tangerine plants will undoubtedly lift your spirits!
Gardening in hot, dry climates brings some challenges, and we’re no strangers to extreme summer heat here in Illinois! Constant watering and stressed-out plants can damper your summer gardening experience—but did you know some plants thrive under heat stress? If you’re worried about your garden struggling in extreme weather, we have some insights to share that will help you cultivate a healthy garden that looks great all summer.
Butterfly gardens provide food and sanctuary for many vibrant species of Lepidoptera. This type of garden can be planted in even the busiest urban location. Offering even a small habitat can help support the butterfly population in your area.
Peppers are a warm-season crop that comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. More good news: Most varieties resist garden pests! See our guide to planting, growing, harvesting peppers.
