Morton Arboretum

To rejuvenate a dormant shrub, cut back one-third of the oldest, largest stems near the ground.

Midwinter ideal time to prune most shrubs. Here’s what you need to know.

January 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Midwinter is an excellent time to get outdoors and prune shrubs. "You can prune shrubs any time, but it's often easier when they are leafless and dormant," said Julie Janoski,...

Give your plants a boost from below this fall

November 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

As branches go bare, it may seem that plants have shut down to wait out the winter. In fact, there's still a lot of growing going on in our gardens...

8 cleanup tips to help spruce up your garden this fall

November 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

How much do you need to clean up the garden in fall? "Your checklist will be longer if you like a very neat garden," said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist...

Conquer composting in your garden by selecting the right bin

November 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

To turn the trees' bounty of autumn leaves into rich, useful compost for your garden, you're probably going to need a bin. "A compost bin is neater than an open...

Burning bush shrubs can provide vibrant yet troublesome color in your backyard

November 5, 2022 at 10:00 p.m.

A vivid color pops in autumn from many Midwestern gardens: the scarlet of burning bush (Euonymus alatus). "It's a particularly showy red," said Michelle Beloskur, coordinator of the Midwest Invasive...

Mushrooms are a welcome sign of a healthy garden

October 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

When mushrooms appear, smart gardeners welcome them. "It tells you that you have healthy soil," said Stephanie Adams, a plant pathologist at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Mushrooms are a...

7 unbe-leaf-able ways to make use of fallen foliage in your garden

October 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Leaves, glorious leaves! They twirl from the trees, drift on the sidewalk, rustle underfoot. And in your garden, they do wonders. "There are many ways you can use autumn leaves...

While loss is obvious, pine tree needle shed is normal for this time of year, experts say

October 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Evergreen trees and shrubs often alarm homeowners by losing needles in autumn. There's usually no need for concern. "It's part of the regular life cycle of these plants for some...

Dormant bulbs will bloom this spring if planted now

October 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Fall is the time to think about one of the glories of the spring garden: the bulb layer. Dry, dormant bulbs for plants such as daffodils, crocuses, tulips and alliums,...

What makes fall leaves change color? More factors than you’d think.

October 6, 2022 at 3:44 p.m.

The signs are already here: scarlet flashing on sumac shrubs, a reddish tinge in some kinds of maples, yellow leaves beginning to flutter down. The colors are telling us fall...

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