It hit me that this gorgeous season has been passing by so fast and I have not been taking the opportunity to enjoy everything wonderful about it. So I headed to the Chicago Botanic Gardens with some friends over the weekend and finally soaked up some of that golden autumn sun, took in the crisp air, and admired the sweet colors of fall. [Read more…]
Phlox
There are 67 species of Phlox, a tall flowering plant mainly found in North America. These flowering plants can grow in a variety of habitats around the country, they have been known to appear in the Alpine Tundra, urban gardens, open woodland areas and prairies. Some of these perennial flowers bloom in spring, while other open up later into the summer and fall. The flowers each have five rounded petals that grow in dense clusters atop a tall stems up to 4 feet tall. Phlox come in a variety of colors including; pink, magenta, white, purple, violet, pale blue, or bright red. [Read more…]
The Yard in July
July in Chicago is typically hot and humid mixed with a few good storms – that’s how this July went down. The yard has been at the peak of it’s growing season blooming full of flowers in every corner. Let’s take a look back and check out what’s been growing in my midwest urban garden this July. [Read more…]
The Yard in June
June is the month where the yard starts feeling really full and lush. By the time May is over we start to see the end of the spring flowers as we make way for summer blooms and the hotter weather. Our Hostas are full grown and bursting with many flowers. Roses, Phlox, Sedum, and more are all out to play. [Read more…]
Daisy Fleabane
The Daisy Fleabane is a wildflower found in most of the United States and Canada. These spunky little flowers bloom from spring to fall, flaunting thin hairlike white petals surrounding a bright yellow center. You can spot them in vacant lots, on the side of the road, backyards, forests, and practically anywhere else. Some may consider this plant to be a weed or even invasive, however I think these wildflowers are delicate little beauties. [Read more…]
Geranium – Bloody Cranesbill
Geranium sanguineum, also known as Bloody Cranesbill, is a low maintenance garden perennial that offers full herbaceous greens with plenty of bright blooms. The flowers petals are papery thin, generally bright magenta with darker veins. The dark green herbaceous foliage is deeply segmented with fine hairs. [Read more…]
Lilacs
The Lilacs come out throughout the month of May. There is a row of Lilac bushes or trees spanning through the next five yards to the west of us. They bloom one at a time heading east, with ours being the last to flower, and yes- it smells as incredible as you would imagine. [Read more…]