Why pink bigleaf hydrangeas might not bloom in summer
The huge, pink mophead blooms of bigleaf hydrangea are one of the joys of summer for Chicago gardeners. What a disappointment when those blooms fail to fluff! "Bigleaf hydrangeas just...
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During extreme heat, these tips help your garden, trees survive
Heat waves have already hit this summer, with more surely to come. "We're getting more severe heat more often," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in the Plant Clinic at...
Spongy moth caterpillars are a serious threat to oaks and other trees in Chicago area
There will be some very confused moths this summer in some parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall and other Illinois counties. And that's good news for trees. The insects are...
How to choose the right mulch for your garden, trees and plants
A layer of mulch is a powerful way to defend your plants against summer heat, drought and overbearing weeds, while improving the soil to nourish their roots. But what is...
Rainy weather this spring helps fungal diseases thrive in your garden. Here’s how to treat them.
A wet spring has done more than dampen graduations and douse picnics. In yards and gardens, it is also brewing up fungal diseases. Ailments caused by fungi tend to be...
Time to water the garden. Plan ahead to avoid stressing plants.
After we've shivered and sloshed through a cold, wet spring, this may be hard to imagine — but it's time to think about watering the garden. "Trees and other plants...
Choose lilacs carefully, or end up with high-maintenance shrub
The sight and fragrance of lilacs, blooming in shades from deep violet-purple to pink to white, are among the splendors of spring. If you'd like to have that splendor in...
Trees can be surrounded by flowers, mulch in your garden — but not raised planters. Here’s why.
Would you like to dress up your tree with a garden around it? That's fine — as long as it consists of compatible plants in the ground, and is not...
Before digging in your garden or yard, here’s how to get utility lines marked for free
Planning to dig a hole? To plant a tree, set a fence post, make a water garden, build a deck? Wait! There might be something down there. "Roots aren't the...
A guide to planting trees that will leave you confident about survival, longevity
If the Arbor Day spirit moves you to plant a tree, plant it right to give it the best chance for a long life of spreading green branches and sheltering...