The hostas under my bird feeder have been decimated. Is there another plant that I can use under the feeder? — Rebecca Gunderson, Elk Grove We have bird feeders at home located over a mixed planting of shrubs and perennials and have had good luck growing plants near the feeder. Your question does not include […]
Category: Home and Garden
Wait for winter to remove dead trees
You may be able to secure better pricing if the work is done in the winter.
Bright berries could signal an invasive plant
Oriental bittersweet is an aggressive, twining woody vine that winds around the trunk or branch of a tree like a boa constrictor.
Leave the hornet’s nest in your garden alone
Hornets are beneficial insects that are good for your garden.
Dry summer may affect autumn color
The trees in your garden and your neighborhood endured a serious dry spell this year, which may affect their fall leaf color.
Branch-littered lawns have an easy fix
I have some significant specimen oak trees in my front yard, and I have been finding the lawn littered with the ends of branches. What is causing this? — Allison Rosenberg, Lincolnwood My driveway has been covered with the clipped ends of oak branches with green leaves over the last couple of weeks, somewhat like what you have been observing in your garden. I have two beautiful large oaks flanking my driveway. I’ve noticed the ends of branches in many home gardens, and at the Garden, that have been dropping over the past weeks due to cicada damage from the […]
Fall garden tasks start with watering
Here are some outdoor tasks to consider for autumn.
Nearly 138,000 beds are being recalled after reports of them breaking or collapsing during use
Nearly 138,000 platform beds sold at major retailers including Amazon and Walmart are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada.
Which trees should be rescued after storm damage?
The first thing to do after a significant storm is to carefully look for broken or damaged branches hanging in the crown of the tree.
Thank trees for pumpkin spice
When you sip a pumpkin spice latte or light up a pumpkin spice candle, you owe trees a “thank you.” “Most of the spices come from trees,” said Spencer Campbell, Plant Clinic manager of The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. The taste and scent combination generally referred to as “pumpkin spice,” long associated with pumpkin pies […]