Home and Garden

A vendor helps an attendee prep the letter press by Starshaped Press at the Chicago Stationery Fest in Ravenswood on March 15, 2026. (Nate Swanson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Make a note: Stationery is booming as we seek out more analog experiences

By Christopher Borrelli

March 26, 2026 at 11:32 a.m.

Stationerycore, as many call the culture, is having its moment, with devotees flocking to events...

Creeping vines can be harmful to your tree

By Tim Johnson

March 22, 2026 at 11:14 a.m.

Whether a vine growing up a tree is harmful or not will depend on the...

Potted hardy bulbs such as daffodils may or may not survive and eventually rebloom if planted outdoors. Many other potted gift plants won’t. (Beth Botts)

Gift plants are iffy in the garden

By Beth Botts

March 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Gift plants are designed to be enjoyed, then discarded.

Choose sturdy, resilient, long-lived perennials for a garden in the parkway, so you rarely need to damage tree roots by digging holes to replace plants. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Parkway is a tough spot for plants

By Beth Botts

February 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Before you plant in a public parkway, think it through.

Before planting a tree close to a house or path, research the species to be sure it will not eventually grow so wide that it needs severe pruning. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Think about a tree’s future size before you buy

By Beth Botts

February 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Choosing a tree or shrub without considering its mature size is a recipe for big trouble.

Garden Club of Beverly Morgan Park member Eileen Quirk Rowan displays a still-life of more than 100 crocheted and knitted flowers she created to commemorate the club's 100th anniversary during a recent club meeting. The piece will be on display throughout the year at area businesses. (Susan DeGrane/Daily Southtown)

Garden Club of Beverly Morgan Park marks 100 years of growth, community spirit

By Susan DeGrane

February 14, 2026 at 5:05 a.m.

The Garden Club of Beverly Morgan Park was formed by a handful of women in...

The hybrid amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a tender bulb with large, showy flowers. (Maria Ciaccio/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Dramatic amaryllis perfect for adding winter color

By Tim Johnson

February 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Hybrid amaryllis is a tender bulb with showy flowers that can be grown easily indoors...

Blooming forsythia branches can brighten a room. (Bill Bishoff/ Chicago Botanic Garden)

Prune your winter garden now for springtime flowering

By Tim Johnson

February 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

There are several trees and shrubs that flower in spring that will work for forcing...

If a houseplant’s pot is inside a decorative container, like this golden pothos in a plastic-lined basket, remove the plant from the inner pot for watering. Place the pot in the sink or over a bucket, soak the plant thoroughly, and let all surplus water drain away before returning it to the decorative cover. (Beth Botts/The Morton Arboretum)

Water correctly to keep houseplants healthy

By Beth Botts

February 7, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Here are tips for knowing when to water and doing it right.

Disease-resistant cultivated varieties or alternative species are available for many plants that are prone to disease. The Accolade™ elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica 'Morton') is a selection of an Asian species that resists the deadly Dutch elm disease. (Mike Hudson/The Morton Arboretum)

Search out shrub, trees that resist disease

By Beth Botts

February 1, 2026 at 9:46 a.m.

Some trees and shrubs have a bad reputation for being susceptible to diseases: lilacs to...

Gro-Low sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low'). (RJ Carlson/Chicago Botanic Garden)

Gro-Low sumac a good choice for planting near sidewalk

By Tim Johnson

January 31, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This fast-growing, durable plant is a good choice to stabilize a bank and requires little...

The home, left, and studio of renowned architect R. Harold Zook on Jan. 28, 2026, at 5901 S. County Line Road in Hinsdale. Zook’s home and studio were located at 327 S. Oak St. from 1924 until 2005, when both buildings were moved to Katherine Legge Memorial Park. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Home and studio of R. Harold Zook, ‘Hinsdale’s Frank Lloyd Wright,’ gets funding boost for preservation

By Melinda Moore

January 31, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Hinsdale Historical Society's plans for the home of R. Harold Zook, "Hinsdale's Frank Lloyd...

Evergreen trees shelter birds such as this warbler against winter winds and cold. (Hailey Hoffman/Morton Arboretum)

How to plant a garden that welcomes birds

By Beth Botts

January 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Yards that include mature trees and native plants are critical rest stops for the millions...