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Headshot for Beth Botts - Original Credit: John Weinstein

Beth Botts

Beth Botts is a staff writer for The Morton Arboretum, a 1,700-acre outdoor museum and garden of trees near Lisle. She works with the Arboretum’s horticultural and scientific staff to provide practical, reliable garden advice in her weekly column. The author of two books, she writes and speaks widely about trees, gardening and nature. She was an editor and reporter at the baiduhai for more than two decades.

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When pruning a shrub branch, make the cut close to the main stem to preserve special tissue around the branch's base that can seal over the wound.

Winter prime time for pruning

Winter is a fine time to prune most trees and shrubs. Without leaves, the structure of their stems and branches is easy to see. "You can spot problems that would...
To prepare for next year's garden, think back on the past growing season and note down anything that was especially pretty, such as these dahlias, as well as anything that went wrong.

Take time to reflect on your garden this year

Now that it's puffy-coat time, assess the past growing season in the garden so you'll be better prepared next spring. "Before you forget, make some notes," said Spencer Campbell, Plant...
An October warm spell tricked some spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythia into opening a few flower buds. The autumn reblooming won't prevent the shrubs from flowering in spring.

Repeat blooms common after warm spells

Did you see plants blooming this fall when you didn't expect it? "Some of them were bred to do that," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in the Plant Clinic...
Even in autumn, after their colorful leaves have fallen and their branches are bare, trees need moisture in the soil from rain or watering.

Don’t put the hose away just yet

Winter is coming, but it's not here yet. So don't put the hose away. "Although plants in your garden may look brown and bare, they still need water," said Spencer...
An accumulation of needles that drop in autumn from the interior of white pines and other evergreens is a normal part of their cycle of growth and renewal.

Needle loss no cause for concern

Did your white pine tree lose a lot of needles this fall? Don't worry, it's probably fine. "It's normal for evergreens to drop their oldest needles every autumn," said Sharon...
With its spreading branches, this stately white oak shows the beauty and strength that make oaks worth celebrating and planting.

Oak trees will bring beauty to a home landscape

Of all the magnificent trees that shade our yards and line our streets, the most bountiful are oaks. "Oaks feed more wildlife than any other trees in our region," said...
Autumn leaves are valuable if you make use of them in the garden rather than just tidying them away.

Fallen leaves could be a useful tool in your garden

October is treasure time when golden leaves pile up like doubloons in a pirate's chest. "Autumn leaves are valuable for your garden and your plants," said Spencer Campbell, Plant Clinic...
The purple berries of beautyberry are a striking sight in the fall garden. It is one of a number of shrubs that can enliven autumn with attractive berries.

For autumn oomph, consider shrubs with berries

One of the most eye-popping sights in autumn gardens is a small shrub with clusters of bright purple berries along arching stems of golden leaves. "At a time when many...
When you plant a tree, dig a wide, shallow hole, making sure not to plant the tree too deeply.

How to plant a tree in your yard

October is a fine time to plant a tree or shrub. "The air has cooled off, but the soil is still pretty warm," said Spencer Campbell, Plant Clinic manager at...
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