Nothing symbolizes the holiday season to a horticulturalist like a holiday cactus in full bloom. These fascinating plants are cacti, but not at all like the full-sun, desert loving specimens we commonly think of. Instead, these plants hail from the treetops of forests in Brazil, which...
One of the single best things you can do to improve your garden soil is to add organic matter. By adding significant amounts of organic matter, you are putting fuel back into the nutrient cycle which naturally adds plant nutrients to our soil and lessens (or eliminates) the need for...
The world of horticulture is ever changing with an increasing interest among plant lovers for more and more digital media. While the internet has vastly expanded the amount of plant information available to the public as text, other forms of digital media, such as podcasts, YouTube videos,...
'Creating a Holiday Wreath' featuring Master Gardener Mary StonecipherDANVILLE – The holidays are right around the corner and finding time to shop, bake, decorate and enjoy time with loved ones can be challenging. How about spending quality...
Autumn is not only a time of brilliant fall colors, but also a time to observe the annual bird migration that spans our continent. Many of our feathered friends travel amazingly great distances to reach warmer climates with abundant food for winter. This lengthy journey spans thousands...
Most of us think of tree leaves when we think about beautiful fall foliage, but many ornamental grasses provide wonderful fall color that often extends well into the winter season. Right now is an excellent time to observe these grasses in the landscape and consider how we might integrate...
In recent years, herbs have gained a larger presence in my home gardens. Not only do these plants provide wonderful, fresh garnish for many of our favorites recipes, but they can also be a source of ornamental value as well as great pollinator plants when in bloom. Many herbs are touted...
Are you searching for a unique gift for a friend who just retired? Would you rather be outside in your garden than anywhere else? The University of Illinois Extension Office will be holding Master Gardener Training Classes starting in January 2019. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have a love of...
Illinois forests are dominated by a mixture of eastern deciduous forest trees and many of our urban areas mirror this forest composition creating a wonderful palette of fall colors each year as the growing season concludes and tree leaves senesce, giving way to winter dormancy. As a tree-...
Last weekend’s fall weather has certainly set leaf drop into motion for the year. I noticed some of the early droppers stating to thin their canopy as many of the walnut around our property are already yellowing and loosing leaves. Cottonwoods are half bare, dropping more leaves each...
