Chicago Botanic Garden

"I found an odd-looking substance in my mulched beds next to a boxwood last week. This garden bed was replanted a few weeks ago and mulched with shredded bark. At...

"I put my orchid out too early this spring and forgot to bring it in during the cold weather spells. Will it recover?" — Robin Carlson, Evanston I do not...

"I have a red twig dogwood shrub I planted at least two years ago in my backyard that tends to be moist and shaded by some adjacent trees. It has...

"What is wrong with my birch tree? I am seeing some odd-looking patches on the leaves." — Deb Schultz, Evanston The pinkish-red spots on your birch's leaves appear to be...

"I am worried about my boxwood. The leaves on some of the plants have taken on a cupped shape and look funny. What is happening, and is there something I...

"I purchased some beautiful blue hydrangeas a few years ago, and they have not performed well since the first summer. The few flowers I do get are more of a...

"There are some large bees that fly around my head in the vicinity of the arbor over my patio as I walk about. It's a bit hard to relax when...

"Some of the leaves on my Annabelle hydrangeas are curled up, making the plants look funny. What is causing this, and is there anything I need to do to help...

"I installed a new garden last year and would like some advice on best practices for watering this spring." — Gabriela Alvarez, Park Ridge Soil conditions in many gardens are...