Choose crab apple trees with care for stunning spring blooms
Stunning spring blooms? Check. Tree that fits in small yards? Check. Fruit for the birds? Check. A flowering crab apple checks all the boxes. "They really are stunning trees," said...
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Planting a large tree? You’re going to need help
If you're planting a large tree this spring, the technique will be somewhat different than if you plant a smaller tree grown in a pot, as explained last week. A...
Lilacs need regular pruning to control size; more compact versions are available
The lush fragrance of lilacs is one of the delights of spring. Most neighborhoods have a few lilac bushes, covered in late April or early May with clusters of tiny...
How to plant a potted tree for Arbor Day — that actually survives
If you have a tree to plant, plan and prepare so you give it the best chance to thrive. Tree planting is a good way to mark Arbor Day, a...
More attractive ways to attain privacy in your yard
Do you feel your yard could be more private? Does it have an unwelcome view or a busy road that’s too close? Are you tired of sharing evenings on the...
Don’t let spring tempt you to start spring planting too soon
As days get warmer, don’t get carried away and plant too soon. Cold nights still can damage some plants, according to Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist at the Morton Arboretum...
Let your bloom envy inspire you to plant a flowering shrub or tree
It’s easy to develop a case of tree and shrub envy in spring if your neighbors’ yards are filling with heart-lifting blooms while your bushes are still bare. Let it...
Spring is the time to target scale insects on magnolia trees
It’s time for a sneak attack. Now, while magnolia trees are still dormant, you can take action against scale insects by smothering the juveniles with an oil made for the...
Do’s and don’ts for early spring gardening
A warm day in March can inspire a kind of madness in gardeners. It can cause them to burst out the door, desperate after months cooped up by cold and...
A combination of signals — cold, warmth and daylight — tells trees when to wake up
When you see hints of green in the treetops, you know spring is arriving. But how do the trees know? A combination of signals — cold, warmth and daylight —...