Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Have you noticed the huge hibiscus blooms this summer? Hibiscus has magnificent flowers that make quite an impressive display each summer. There are many different types of hibiscus. The rose-of –Sharon (Hybiscus ...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator While hiking recently I got to thinking about the various plants that stick to our sock and pants. Certainly, they are frustrating; but, as a plant geek, I wanted to know more. Sticky plants attaching to clothes, hair, fur, and...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Now is the best time to prune many of your trees and shrubs, including fruit trees. Pruning of fruit trees is done to improve fruit quality, develop a strong plant, facilitate harvest, and control the size/shape of the plant....

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator During the holiday season many different types of plants are available for decorating and display including the spectacular amaryllis. Amaryllis flowers make a bold statement. Borne on 1 ½ to 2-foot tall stalk, the trumpet-shaped, 6...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator If you love butterflies, you could also put in a butterfly garden habitat in your own yard. You don't need a lot of space to attract our native butterflies. There are two different types of plants you can grow for butterflies:...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Now is the time to take soil tests. If you have plants that are not growing the way they should, a soil test might be needed to see if soil amendments are needed. Soil amendments should be based on a soil test to know the amounts...

Analytic data from my ILRiverHort Facebook Page shows significant increases since it began in 2011. The number of people following the Page increased steadily, with a slight bump up in 2013. Currently the Page has 636 followers. The number of impressions made a dramatic leap in 2016. Impressions...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Hundreds of minute, barbed bristles poked out of the bottom of my foot as Dad gently plucked each one away from my throbbing flesh. Our family was camping in Spring Lake State Park near Havana, Illinois one summer when I was about 10...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator The odd weather patterns over the past few years have played havoc on my lawn. As a result, I now have out-of-control crabgrass in areas of my front yard. Crabgrass is an annual weedy grass that, from a distance, blends into your...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator The goldenrod is making a fantastic display this fall in my prairie and other unmown areas. I love watching the waves of gold sway on a sunny fall day. Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) thrives in sun to part sun and is a deer-resistant...

Community gardens can turn stark vacant lots into productive keystones in a community. The reasons for starting community gardens are varied, and the rewards are numerous. However various pitfalls can turn noble intentions into negative neighborhood drama. Proper planning, excellent communication,...

Parts of my backyard and woodland are covered with fallen pine needles. We have a large number of mature white pine trees that yearly drop their needles. Annual needle drop is normal and beneficial. Martha Smith, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension said it well, "There is...

Just what are frankincense and myrrh? Certainly, they are part of many Christmas stories, but do you know what those products are and why they were so valuable? Here is more information on both of these plant-based products. Frankincense and myrrh are both resins -- dried tree sap -- that come...

Issue 9, June 26, 2017 Illinois Pesticide Review Newsletter Japanese Beetle ShareThis Adult Japanese beetles have emerged in Illinois. Early control reduces damage through the...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I am seeing more butterflies this summer than I have in recent years. As I walk my property, I see monarchs, swallowtails, buckeyes, hackberry, painted ladies, cabbage whites, and more. This year I even saw a viceroy while mowing!...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I recently overheard a conversation while shopping for plants. The shoppers were discussing whether or not to prune their tomatoes. Pruning tomatoes can help some types produce more fruit. University of Illinois Extension educator...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator A friend of mine recently vacationed in Florida and purchased a bromeliad at a flea market. I can see why she picked it out since bromeliads are especially eye-catching. Bromeliads are in the pineapple family. There are many...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator March 19 – 25 is National Horticultural Therapy Week. Its purpose is "to encourage others to help expand and elevate horticultural therapy as a profession." People who interact with plants are healthier. Thus, using plants in...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator Big trees seem to fascinate and almost mesmerize us. They bring wonderment as we surmise how old it is and what it has "seen" through its life. Here are some of my favorites. No words can describe what I felt when I saw my first...

Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator I have a couple orchids at home but have not had great success with them. Sandy Mason, Illinois Master Gardener Coordinator, writes the following about orchids. She also teaches a webinar about moth orchids. I'm hoping that Sandy...