Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Paperwhites are routinely sold in stores during holidays.
Many bulbs are easy to grow indoors for seasonal display and beauty. Common examples are Amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus.
Of all the types of narcissus, the paperwhite...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Deer hunting season is upon us, and so it seems appropriate to do an article about deer damage to landscape plants. Fall and winter are a time when deer can cause significant damage to landscape plants. Two types of damage can occur...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
You see the ads in the newspaper, along roadsides and just about everywhere else at this time of year: FIREWOOD FOR SALE.
Knowing where your firewood comes from can keep you from making some costly mistakes, according to Duane...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Recently, I've had several people send me pictures asking, "What is this beautiful plant with purple berries?" My answer each time was beautyberry.
The beautyberry (Callicarpa sp.) has show-stopping purple fruit in the fall. In fact...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I invite you to check out my video that details my vision for my University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit horticulture program. My 2017 goals are to continue building on the successful program, support our...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Fall provides us with brilliant colors: orange pumpkins, yellow mums, purple asters, and bronze autumn joy sedums. The fall flower garden has a lot to offer and brings a change in flower color. Notice how the fall flowers offer...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Last weekend I walked around my gardens with a journal and took notes. I jotted down what worked and what didn't and began preliminary plans for next year. This really helps me, since I tend to forget these things over the winter....
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I am now producing videos on a wide variety of gardening topics and more.
Videos are the latest social media trend, with predictions that 74% of all internet traffic in 2017 will be video.
My plan is to produce short, informational...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I recently harvested herbs from my garden. They are drying in my kitchen so that I will remember to use them regularly. I add them to my evening tea or as added flavor to our meals. Here are some of my favorites.
Lemon balm is true...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Although Christmas is still a couple of months away, it is time to begin preparing some of them to flower during the holiday season. This typically involves changing their environment in some way to force them into bloom....
