Plant competition is an instrumental part of natural ecosystems, with winners and losers in all cases. Still, it is really fascinating to consider why and how certain plants come out on top. In some examples, you can look at climate or other geographic constraints to understand why a...
With holiday plants abounding these days, it is hard to miss the delicate and airy blooms of paperwhites (Narcissus spp.). These blooming bulbs are a common holiday gift that brings a hint of the growing season into our winter abodes. Due to their ease of growth, they are commonly used...
Gardening with native plants is an ever-increasing trend nationwide as many folks seek an ecological alternative to our traditional non-native landscape species. However, many of us are faced with some challenges as we add a whole new pallet of plants to our garden spaces.I’ve been obsessed...
As the holidays roll around, it’s hard not to notice the delightful blooms of holiday cacti. They seem to be everywhere, from the supermarket checkout lane to many a holiday gathering as either garnishes or gifts, which help to illuminate the holiday season. While these plants make...
These days, the best way to see the lingering fall colors is by looking at the ground. Most of our trees have dropped their leaves, but color remains at ground level in the fallen foliage or in smaller landscape plants that still retain their autumnal hues. This year, I have been really...
As the gardening season winds down, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year and look toward the future. Soil tests are a great way to put some data and insight behind decisions for next year. I often test in fall under the assumption that my tests will account for the past year’s...
Several years ago, we had an extra pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) after all the plants were distributed at the East Central Illinois Master Naturalist’s Annual Native Tree and Shrub sale. Since this poor tree had no home, we decided to plant it outside one of the staff entrances at the...
Throughout the summer, I talked to quite a few people who were concerned about the low numbers of monarch butterflies this year. Some of this concern was sparked early in the year when we learned that the overwintering monarch population in Mexico was measured at near all-time low numbers....
The signs of this year’s historic cicada hatch are still around, although all of our periodic cicadas are now quietly underground, feeding away on tree roots for the next 13 years. After piles of molted shells and dead adult cicadas earlier in the summer, we are now seeing their signature on...
In recent weeks, I have noticed an unfamiliar yellow flower around central Illinois. It seems to be everywhere I go from ditches and roadsides to local natural areas or even around public gardens. With its prevalence along my routine travel paths, such as the I-72 or I-74 corridors, I’d...
