May 31, 2011
What are some of the choices the gardener has when a boxwood shrub starts to decline?
Gardening Tips and Techniques from University of Illinois Extension
Gardener's Corner
Gardening Tips and Techniques from University of Illinois Extension
Archives for May 2011
May 30, 2011
Crabapples make wonderful spring-blooming trees in the home landscape. When selecting a crabapple, consider not only flower color, but also foliage and fruit color, size, and disease resistance.
May 29, 2011
Often trees and shrubs that are grafted will produce suckers from the root stock that are different than the variety you planted. You must remove these suckers to retain the original variety.
May 28, 2011
Koreanspice Viburnum is a great shrub for the home landscape. It has fragrant flowers, deep-textured foliage, and good fall color.
May 27, 2011
Lavender takes a long time to come out of dormancy in the spring, so wait a while before pruning and you'll be rewarded with a much fuller plant.
May 26, 2011
The home landscape should be re-mulched every two to three years to serve as an effective weed barrier. Make sure not to put the mulch up against the trunks of trees and shrubs.
May 25, 2011
The time to prune Rhododendron and Azaleas is immediately after flowering so you don't remove any flower buds for next year. When you prune, be sure to prune back to a growing point to maintain a healthy shrub.
May 24, 2011
One of the best things a first-time gardener can do is have a soil sample taken. Learn how to properly take a soil sample.
May 23, 2011
Most rose pruning should be done early in the season, but it can also be done later in the season to keep a well-managed shrub rose.
May 22, 2011
Spring is the time to cleanup those perennials you left standing in the garden over the winter.
May 21, 2011
Ornamental grasses need to be pruned back in the spring. Here are some tips for efficiently removing the old growth.
May 20, 2011
Perennials such as Hosta should be divided every few years, especially when the center of the plant starts to thin.
May 19, 2011
Henbit is a winter annual that has a tenacious habit in the garden. Learn how to deal with this prolific weed.
May 15, 2011
Knowing the type of hydrangea you have in your garden determines how you prune and deadhead these shrubs.
May 14, 2011
To ensure good bloom on your spring bulbs year after year, it's important to allow them to recharge their energy by removing seed heads and leaving the foliage standing for at least 6-8 weeks after flowering.
May 13, 2011
Old seedheads should be removed from stonecrop sedum each spring to ensure a nice clean plant in the garden.
May 12, 2011
Spring-blooming shrubs should be pruned and shaped within a couple of weeks after blooming to ensure a good flower show next year.
May 10, 2011
Seed-grown dahlias offer a compact plant that will produce flowers over the entire summer. Try them in your garden or containers in a full sun, well-watered spot.
May 9, 2011
Make sure you point your tuberous begonias in the right direction for the greatest garden enjoyment.
May 8, 2011
Extension horticulturist Greg Stack discusses three great new garden performers - Calibrachoa, Angelonia and Alyssum 'Snow Princess'.
May 8, 2011
Hellebores now come in a wide variety of colors and forms, and are among the earliest-blooming perennials in the garden.
May 7, 2011
Consider 'King Tut' Cyperus if you're looking for a "wow" plant in your garden. This papyrus likes full sun and wet soils.
May 6, 2011
Mandevilla is a tropical vine for a sun/part-sun location with large, petunia-like flowers. Keep it watered and fertilized for best performance.
May 2, 2011
Learn how to pinch and transplant annuals you purchase in cell packs from the garden center.
May 1, 2011
Sunpatiens will tolerate quite a bit of sun in the garden, with attractive foliage and large colorful flowers.
