Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
The Norfolk Island Pine is commonly sold as a holiday plant. It is sometimes even used as a small indoor Christmas tree. Often the small trees are sold already decorated with little balls and tinsel.
Norfolk Island Pines are very...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
On a recent trip to Austin Texas to attend their state Master Naturalist conference, I saw the most beautiful prostrate rosemary plants. I was awestruck by its lush, long growth descending down steps and draping over tall walls....
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I love decorating for the holidays with live plants. To me just the smell of fresh evergreen wreaths and trees says Happy Holidays.
The holiday season has almost no limitations from a decorative standpoint. In addition to the live...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Do your pets eat nibble on your houseplants. If so, Rhonda Ferree, Horticulture Educator with University of Illinois Extension, suggests that you should take a good look at your houseplants to assure poisonous ones are not within...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
It is that time of year when a cup of hot chocolate and a chocolate cookie hit the spot. In my travels I've seen the tree where chocolate comes from and it always fascinates me.
A few years ago a colleague of mine wrote all about...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educatorGENERAL
Clean and store hoses and flower pots.
Clean and sharpen lawn and garden tools and store them in a dry storage area.
Store leftover garden chemicals according to label directions, out of the reach of...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
All weeds are not created equal. Some weeds are much more difficult to manage than others, thus proper identification is important. This is especially true for the ever increasing number of invasive plants that can quickly overtake...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Every year I try to provide ideas for those of you who are searching for the "perfect" gift for a gardener in your family. This year I thought I'd focus instead on the nature explorers, though most are also gardeners.
As the state...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
I recently removed a larger overgrown, and invasive, burning bush in my yard and replaced it with an elderberry and a couple ninebarks.
Trends in the gardening world include using easy to grow, dependable plants with unusual...
Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Tree damage is just part of the devastation that severe storms afflicted throughout Illinois. It is important to use proper pruning techniques to help restore these plants' beauty and health, as well as to protect the safety of the...
