Home and Garden – Page 29

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...

Tobacco hornworm caterpillars are usually green with seven diagonal white lines on their sides and have a curved red horn. (Julie McCaffrey / Chicago Botanic Garden)

What’s eating my tomato plants?

By Tim Johnson

July 24, 2024 at 4:26 p.m.

The leaves of my tomato plant are being eaten by something. Some of the stems...

The Sirvinskas home, 541 Parkwood Ave., which has a front yard planted with no mow grass, was featured in the first-ever Sustainable Yards Walk in Park Ridge. (Phil Rockrohr/for Pioneer Press)

Tired of mowing? Park Ridge Sustainable Yard Walk displays ‘no mow’ grass

By Phil Rockrohr

July 16, 2024 at 11:49 a.m.

After raising their children, Mike and Sue Sirvinskas of Park Ridge moved to a smaller...

Hosta will perform well in the shade under trees. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

You can grow grass in shady patches

By Tim Johnson

July 15, 2024 at 2:59 p.m.

I planted a group of seven redbuds in the corner of my backyard a few...

Japanese beetles, like this one on a coneflower, can reduce the leaves of many plants to skeletons. To discourage them, don’t overwater the lawn where their larvae live as grubs. (John Hagstrom/The Morton Arboretum)

Beetle battle in your yard? Here’s what to do.

By Beth Botts

July 13, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

What is less lovely than a summer blossom? The sight of a Japanese beetle on...

Julianne Mason, restoration program coordinator with the Forest Preserve District of Will County, points out natural features Monday, July 2, 2024, at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve in Lockport, where an $8.3 million restoration project just wrapped up. (Paul Eisenberg/Daily Southtown)

Landmarks: ‘Globally rare’ habitat in Lockport gets an $8 million boost, Army Corps attention

By Paul Eisenberg

July 9, 2024 at 6:06 p.m.

Landmarks: Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, a habitat virtually untouched since the ice age, gets an...

Gro-low fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low') has a low, spreading habit that can quickly grow to 5 to 8 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet tall. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Two easy plants that can fill gaps in your yard

By Tim Johnson

July 7, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

I am looking for an inexpensive and easy-to-grow shrub or ground cover to fill in...

Cuttings grafted onto rootstocks at The Morton Arboretum are a potential new life for a historic bur oak tree dating back to 1857 that had to be removed from the Lincoln Park Zoo. (Kris Bachtell/The Morton Arboretum)

Trees come and go, but you can help keep heritage trees alive

By Beth Botts

July 6, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

A big old tree speaks of history. Somehow, as cities rise, roads are paved and...

Wilting is a sign that a plant is already stressed, so don’t wait until you see plants wilt before you water long enough to moisten the soil several inches deep. (Beth Botts / The Morton Arboretum)

Plants need help to survive summer heat

By Beth Botts

July 1, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

When summer heat waves hit, most people can seek out air conditioning. Plants can’t. “They’re...

The best way to prevent rabbit damage is to exclude them with fencing. (Tim Johnson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Hungry rabbits ruining your yard? Here’s the fix.

By Tim Johnson

June 29, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

It looks like an animal is eating my perennial plants this spring, and some plants...

River birch showing the initial signs of chlorosis, a subtle paling of the green color of the foliage. (RJ Carlson / Chicago Botanic Garden)

Tree chlorosis may go unnoticed

By Tim Johnson

June 23, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

We planted a river birch tree in our backyard three years ago and I noticed...