The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones have long been a standard in communicating plant suitability across the US. Everyone from gardeners and growers to scientists and crop insurance adjusters use these designations to make plant decisions every day. However, the geographic range of these...
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are US households' most popular holiday plant. It is estimated that over 30 million poinsettias are sold each year around the holiday season, accounting for about one-quarter of all flowering houseplants sold in the US year-round. That is a...
Flowers are getting fewer and further between as the fall season transitions to winter. In my garden, aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) is about the last blooming plant that is still hanging on to some flowers after starting to bloom almost a month ago.
However, one native...
Some years ago, it was shocking to learn that one of my favorite ornamental shrubs, burning bush (Euonymus alatus), is invasive. It took a while for this news to sink in, and after seeing it invade woodlands across southern Illinois, I finally came to terms with the bad news....
Invasive species are putting continual pressure on plants and animals in Illinois, which is only expected to intensify in the coming years. This means we all need to be vigilant for new threats and aware of their impact when new invasives arrive.
Last month, experts confirmed the arrival a...
Migratory species across North America are on the move as the fall season progresses toward winter. Right now is the ideal time to observe bird migration, with many uncommonly observed species moving through our area on their way to the tropics. I’ve always marveled at the sheer...
Fall is nearly upon us, and while many gardeners lament the end of the growing season, plenty of work remains to be done before winter sets in. I actually enjoy fall gardening tasks as they are a way to end the year with a bang and get all set to hit the ground running in spring. Here is a short...
When I try to think of plants that live up to their common name, surprise lily (Lycoris squamigera) tops the list. In fact, this plant has quite a few common names that are equally fitting, including ghost lily, magic lily, resurrection flower, naked lily, and mystery lily, among...
As interest in planting milkweed has grown among gardeners focused on supporting Monarch butterfly populations, many of us have been watching garden centers for milkweed plants. This interest has sparked demand for easy-to-propagate milkweed species that can offer maximum garden beauty with a...
Tomatoes are one of the most planted garden crops in the US and remain a staple of most vegetable gardens across central Illinois. Illinois Extension receives many questions about these plants and their care each year, with most questions centering on controlling some common ailments. From...
