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A picture of two blooms of wild columbine
Read article: Using wild columbine at home
Using wild columbine at home
During the flowering lull of late spring in my home gardens, I often admire the unique, dangling blooms of our native wild columbine (Aquilegia...
Monarch caterpillar feeds on orange butterflyweed
Read article: Monarchs and milkweeds - nativars help pollinators
Monarchs and milkweeds - nativars help pollinators
Among gardeners, there is an ever-growing interest in creating plant arrangements that support pollinators.  This has been driven by recent research...
dandelion
Read article: Lawns and pollinators - The case for dandelions
Lawns and pollinators - The case for dandelions
Urban areas typically have a large proportion of turfgrass. From lawns and residential areas to golf courses, parks and rights-of-way, turf covers...
spring flowers in a flower bed with mulch
Read article: Select the best mulch for your garden
Select the best mulch for your garden
There are many types of mulch that can be used in landscapes and gardens. Here are some things to consider as you choose the mulch that works best...
redbud flower
Read article: Spring flowering trees and shrubs
Spring flowering trees and shrubs
Signs of spring are beginning to pop up if you look close enough.  In the last week or so, I’ve noticed harbinger of spring (Erigenia bulbosa...
Read article: Prairie Establishment at ClarkLindsey
Prairie Establishment at ClarkLindsey
On a sunny and cold day in early February, some Urbana residents helped to spread handfuls of native prairie seed on the ground.  Using tools as...
Read article: Holly: A native holiday decoration
Holly: A native holiday decoration
Hollies are common landscape plants and even more common holiday decorations that belong to the incredibly diverse genus Ilex which contains over 400...
Read article: Native Perennials with Winter Interest
Native Perennials with Winter Interest
As fall progresses and most plants lose their leaves or retreat to their winter dormancy, portions of the landscape can appear bare and boring for...

News Releases

Backyard landscape filled with green grass, plants, flowers, and a tree.
Make time to be inspired by nature's lessons
URBANA, Ill. — Spending time in nature allows people to take in the world around them. In today's busy world, learning how to hit pause to take lessons from nature and explore the benefits of outdoor activities is vital. University of Illinois Extension...
A pair of redbud trees in bloom with pink flowers in spring alongside gravel road
Plant trees for every season
URBANA, Ill. – In a landscape, trees accomplish multiple tasks, from shading our homes to being a home for wildlife. They do everything from providing food to conserving water as well as contributing to our health and community well-being. As trees provide physical, environmental, and emotional...
Landscaping with these plants will help reduce your watering this summer
Written by Jan Phipps, Edgar County Master Gardener Looking back on 2022, did you have to spend too much time watering? If you are searching for plants that can tolerate dry spells and even drought in some cases, here are a few suggestions. First, drought-tolerant plants refer to...