Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
What is a Christmas Rose? It may be roses given at Christmas or a particular china pattern. It could also refer to a perennial plant called the Christmas Rose or Lenten Rose.
The Christmas and Lenten Roses are Helleborus plants that...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Holly and mistletoe are symbols of the Christmas season. They are very different plants, but both quite beautiful in their own unique ways.
Mistletoe is actually quite a pest in the South. It is most often found in the South,...
Cranberries are a staple for many people during the holidays. We use them to make cranberry salad or jello for the holiday dinner. Many people also string them with popcorn to make a beautiful garland decoration. I love to eat cranberries and find their history and production practices fascinating...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Last year I had a lot of browning on one of my evergreen yew plants. It is next to the house near the dryer vent. The vent's hot air caused my plant to dry out quickly, with some areas dying completely. This year I am prepared to...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
There is nothing like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree to put you in the holiday spirit. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect tree for your home and assure it stays fresh throughout the holiday season.
The first step...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you plan to add an evergreen tree to your landscape next year, consider using it as a Christmas tree now. Unfortunately, this isn't as easy as it sounds. It requires some planning ahead, and only allows a Christmas tree in your...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Are you searching for the "perfect" gift for a gardener in your family? Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, provides the following some ideas that might prove helpful.
Gardeners always love...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
If you grow strawberries, you may be wondering when to cover them for the winter. Recently retired University of Illinois Extension Local Foods and Small Farms Educator Mike Roegge provides the following tips.
Straw is traditionally...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
As the holiday season approaches, it seems appropriate to discuss the issue of sweet potatoes versus yams. Officially a sweet potato is never a yam, but sweet potatoes are often sometimes referred to as yams.
Sweet potatoes (...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Are you searching for the "perfect" gift for a gardener in your family? As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, here are some tools and gadgets that every gardener needs.
Gardening is therapeutic, but it can also be hard work....
