Home and Garden – Page 23

At the end of the growing season, think back on your garden through the growing season to make notes for improving it next year. For example, planting some colorful alliums might fill a gap between the last spring tulips and the first summer flowers. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Make notes now for next year’s garden

By Beth Botts

October 31, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As fall swirls toward winter, spend a little time out in the garden taking stock...

By simply raking fallen leaves onto your garden beds, you can provide your plants with a healthy, protective, soil-building layer of free mulch. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Don’t let fallen leaves go to waste

By Beth Botts

October 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Nature never wastes a leaf.

Fall tree color at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (Jeff Carrion/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Peak fall color in Chicago area now on display

By Tim Johnson

October 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

When you understand the basics of fall color and monitor the weather, you will be...

A plant’s hardiness zone numbers tell you the geographic area in which it can be expected to survive the average winter. This Molly Schroeder doublefile viburnum (Virburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Molly Schroeder’) is rated for Zones 5 through 8, which means it is hardy in northern Illinois (Zone 5) and

Chicago (mostly Zone 6). (Beth Botts / The Morton Arboretum)

Know your numbers to tell if plants are hardy

By Beth Botts

February 9, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

When you’re shopping for trees, shrubs or perennials, the hardiness zone should be one of...

While flowering, amaryllis will produce two to six leaves, which photosynthesize and store food in the bulb for future growth. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Reblooming amaryllis requires patience

By Tim Johnson

February 8, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

It can take several months, including a period of dormancy, before the bulb has enough...

This new hedge of boxwoods has been properly spaced, giving the young shrubs room to grow wider as they grow taller. The size and width that plants will reach when they are fully mature is one of the important facts to determine before you buy them. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

On a cold day, stay indoors and research plants

By Beth Botts

February 2, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

If you’re considering adding trees or shrubs to your landscape in the coming growing season,...

Whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) are tiny insects related to aphids, scales, and mealybugs. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Whiteflies on houseplants require prompt response

By Tim Johnson

February 2, 2025 at 11:25 a.m.

Whiteflies tend to cling to the undersides of leaves, making them easy to overlook.

The size of a shrub that has outgrown its space often can be reduced by selectively pruning some branches while preserving its natural form. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Careful pruning can reduce a shrub’s size

By Beth Botts

January 26, 2025 at 3:27 p.m.

Exactly how and when you should prune a shrub depends on the species and variety...

Be careful not to damage the bark or the trunk as you are pruning. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Go large when pruning tree limbs

By Tim Johnson

January 26, 2025 at 12:22 p.m.

There are some large limbs hanging too low over my patio that I need to...

Tthe Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Henderson house in Elmhurst is featured on an extended, add-on tour associated with the Wright Plus 2025 housewalk event in May. (Graydon Megan/Pioneer Press)

Lineup set for Oak Park’s Wright Plus house tour, including some featured for first time

By Graydon Megan

January 24, 2025 at 12:06 p.m.

Four homes that have never been featured on the Wright Plus home tour will be...

Chicago Botanic Garden staff use insulated coveralls for working outside for long periods of time. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Stay warm while gardening outdoors

By Tim Johnson

January 19, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

I see Chicago Botanic Garden staff working outside all winter long and I was wondering...

Remove older, thicker stems from a tangled shrub to make room for new growth. One reason to prune shrubs in the winter dormant season is that without leaves, it’s easier to see what you’re doing. (Jeffrey Ross/The Morton Arboretum)

Get outside and prune your shrubs

By Beth Botts

January 22, 2025 at 1:56 p.m.

Pruning is a great way to get outdoors in winter, breathe some fresh air, and...

With the proper precautions, you should be able to continue purchasing plants, including moth orchids, all winter long. (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Tips for thriving winter houseplants

By Tim Johnson

January 12, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The winter gardening season is a great time to focus on houseplants and build a...