Blog Posts

white flowers of elderberry cluster in an umbel spent flower head is in the background
Read article: The wild and wonderful elderberry
The wild and wonderful elderberry
Most of the time, I work hard to achieve a desirable outcome in my landscape but, from time to time, a plant comes along that is easy to establish...
Blooming yucca with tall flower stalks and shorter foliage.
Read article: Yucca's Exotic Appeal
Yucca's Exotic Appeal
In the last few weeks, a peculiar plant has begun to draw attention as it reaches full bloom across central Illinois. While its towering flower...
Help! My forsythia isn't blooming like it used to. Forsythia shrubs with few blooms.
Read article: Help! My forsythia isn't blooming like it used to
Help! My forsythia isn't blooming like it used to
Forsythias are planted for their stunning floral display in early spring. Have you ever seen a forsythia bush, and for some reason, there are only...
a cedar waxwing bird sitting on a tree branch with a red berry in its mouth
Read article: Berry Succession: Creating a continuous food source for birds
Berry Succession: Creating a continuous food source for birds
One of the most favored hobbies of outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, and wildlife lovers is feeding the birds. Setting out a bird feeder with seed or...

News Releases

amur honeysuckle
Invasive and Nuisance Plants Workshop Offered in Freeport
FREEPORT, Ill-----Fall can be a suitable time to address some landscape plant issues. Woody plants and other perennials can best be managed during the fall. If you have noticed some plant types are taking over your landscape, this is the time to exercise some control for a better next year,...
Planted shrubs lined up along a fence.
Build privacy with plants for secret gardens
URBANA, Ill. — Plants serve a lot of purposes in the landscape. One of which is to add some privacy. Screening plants can help define and give purpose to a space. Homeowners may wish to screen a particular area or transparency in the landscape, creating interest in what lies beyond. ...

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