Home and Garden – Page 28

A bed of lily-of-the-valley that recently died back. (Tim Johnson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Anthracnose is not a fatal plant disease

By Tim Johnson

October 10, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This disease is not usually fatal, but it does weaken the plant.

A monarch butterfly climbs on verbena blooms Sept. 9, 2025, in Oak Park. Land managers of rights-of-way throughout the area are increasingly implementing monarch-friendly practices such as installing native plants and mowing less frequently. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

As monarch butterflies head south, they’re getting an assist along utility rights of way, roadways

By Susan DeGrane

October 9, 2026 at 9:52 a.m.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, ComEd and other agencies are implementing practices along rights of...

Even spectacular bulbs such as these peony-flowered tulips are most effective groups. Plant them in fall for spring bloom. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Plant bulbs now for spring bloom

By Beth Botts

October 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

There’s no more satisfying way to spend a crisp fall day than planting bulbs for...

Plants grown in containers must be watered routinely. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

How can I improve my container plants?

By Tim Johnson

August 25, 2024 at 11:31 a.m.

I thought growing annuals for color would be easy, but I’ve noticed a couple of...

This yellow coneflower, shown by the shore of Meadow Lake at The Morton Arboretum, is a prairie perennial that is likely to do well in a sunny garden with well-drained soil. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Go native in your garden

By Beth Botts

August 18, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Late summer is a great time of year to look for native prairie plants that...

Pull the grass out of your perennial beds throughout the growing season. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Eradicating grassy weeds takes patience and persistence

By Tim Johnson

August 17, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Grassy weeds are difficult to eradicate once they get established.

By August, many leaves in the garden will have minor holes, spots, scorched edges or tatters. You can spruce up the look of the garden by snipping them off. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Here’s permission to be a lazy gardener as summer wanes

By Beth Botts

August 11, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

By the time August comes with its heat and humidity, many gardeners are ready for...

Yellow jackets are considered beneficial insects that pollinate flowers and prey on grubs and beetles. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Don’t let yellowjackets be a buzzkill in your yard

By Tim Johnson

August 10, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

It certainly is annoying to battle yellow jackets as you are eating in your yard...

Peaches and Cream™ honeysuckle is a woody vine with colorful blooms that is not considered invasive, like some other species of honeysuckle. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Not all honeysuckle plants are invasive

By Beth Botts

August 4, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Their scent may be as sweet as honey, but for many gardeners, honeysuckles have a...

Plants grown in containers will need more frequent, light watering to get established. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Is it OK to plant in containers during summer?

By Tim Johnson

August 3, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Plants grown in containers will need more frequent, light watering to get established.

The delicate blooms of seven-son flower appear in late summer on a large, sprawling shrub. (Sharon Yiesla/The Morton Arboretum)

Seven-son will bring eyes to your garden

By Beth Botts

July 29, 2024 at 6:04 p.m.

If you’re looking for a plant that will make your garden stand out, consider the...

The cicada killers burrow in areas with bare soil or sand. (Tim Johnson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

While scary, cicada killer wasps serve an important purpose

By Tim Johnson

July 27, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

If this insect truly is a nuisance for you, then use mulch, plant groundcovers or...

During the summer, scale insects are immobile, appearing as bumps along a branch with a waxy coating that makes them impervious to spraying. (Sharon Yiesla/The Morton Arboretum)

Black mold on branches caused by magnolia scale insects

By Beth Botts

July 21, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

We enjoy magnolia trees for their beautiful early spring flowers, but in summer they sometimes...