Most gardeners who have planted a summer squash in their vegetable garden can attest to the prolific growth of healthy squash vines. And in good years, many can also recount the bountiful harvest, with fruits ripening faster than you can pick them at times. I think we’ve all found those enormous...
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF)
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive pest that impacts a wide range of plants as it feeds throughout the growing season. This non-native leafhopper was first identified in Pennsylvania back in 2014 and has since spread to 10 other states. ...
In recent visits to local prairies, I was reminded of a spectacular native plant that is often overshadowed by its more common hybrid cousins. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is native plant with a home range that spans our continent. It frequents a wide range of locations on the...
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) has received a lot of attention lately, with reports of expanding populations statewide and subsequent increased human contact with this toxic plant. However, there is some confusion about the risk this plant poses to humans and animals,...
Native plants are ever gaining popularity as gardeners seek specimens with high ecological value in support of declining insect pollinator populations. Among the almost 2,300 plant species known to be native in Illinois, our native shrubs are often overlooked and underappreciated in the landscape...
Like clockwork, the Champaign County Master Gardeners (CCMG) moved hundreds of plants from the greenhouse out to the Idea Garden on University of Illinois Campus in early May. This annual tradition has been ongoing for over two decades now as part of a plant trial program the gardeners participate...
Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is one of only two hydrangea species native to Illinois. This small and often overlooked native shrub is much more prevalent in southern Illinois, although it occasionally occurs in our part of the state as well. Its dainty lacecap flowers attract...
Greening spring lawns are a welcome sign to many of us, but they are also a sign of yardwork to come for the rest of the growing season. The desire to get a jump start on mowing for season, or perhaps to get outside and be active after winter dormancy, spurs a lot of early season grass cutting. ...
Noteworthy plants in natural areas can be the superstars of landscaping when gardeners learn to harness their natural tendencies and display their most virtuous attributes. One group of plants that I have often underestimated are sedges (Carex spp.).
These tough native perennials have a...
Our sun has special significance in the gardening world. It offers sunlight, which plants use to generate energy and directly influences plant lifecycles in a variety of ways.
Have you ever considered the role of the moon in plant growth? Historically, many agricultural and gardening practices...
