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My Northern Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden

Japanese Garden in late fall.

Winter Wonderland at Chicago Botanic.Over the past four years I’ve made many trips to Chicago because my oldest daughter goes to school at Loyola University there. (She is a very happy, soon-to-be alumna.) Whenever I can, I take a detour from our moving-in, moving-out trips to visit the Chicago Botanic Garden, located outside of the city on the line between Lake and Cook counties. At 385-acres, the garden is impossible to see in one visit. It has 24 permanent gardens and constantly changing displays and special events. One year, I was fortunate to get a preview peek at the annual holiday train display at the garden. During another visit, I snapped photos of dozens of perennials at their peak bloom. A third visit prompted a slow walk among the many conifers in the garden.

It’s hard to pick a favorite spot. The Japanese garden, especially in fall or winter when its shape is so clear and striking, is lovely to walk through. But I’ve also enjoyed seeing displays of roses and new perennials (Chicago Botanic horticulturists have bred several impressive plants, including my favorite Baptisia, ‘Twilight Prairieblues’).

It helps to have a car (or fully loaded minivan!) when you visit Chicago Botanic. However, the garden is located not too far from the Braeside Metra Station, part of Chicago’s commuter rail system, and, of course, Chicago has a fabulous bus system, so it is possible to get to the garden on public transportation. The garden has a nice cafeteria—not fancy, but good. Naturally, there is also a gift shop and bookstore.

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New plants. Gear. New zones (yikes!) The trends th New plants. Gear. New zones (yikes!) The trends that are driving what you’ll see at nurseries in 2024 is my topic next Tuesday, Dec. 5, in a webinar hosted by my friends at @mnhort.

It’s free for hort members, and only $5 for nonmembers. Sign up at northerngardener.org! 
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#gardentrends #newplants #mnhort #mngarden #cutflowergarden #homesteading #gothgardening #barbieplants #northerngardener
The desert landscape could not be more different t The desert landscape could not be more different than Minnesota’s but so interesting to visit. Here it’s all about texture, size and drama. If you are ever in the Phoenix area, the Desert Botanical Garden is a must-see. 

#gardentravel #thanksgiving #desertgardens #cacti #sonomavalley
What’s your new plant zone? Be sure to check you What’s your new plant zone? Be sure to check your zip code over at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov because there are some portions of the Twin Cities and a whole lot of Minnesota that is still in zone 4 or zone 3. I have more on my blog. Find the link in bio or stories. 
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#hardinesszones #zone5a #zone4b #zone5 #zone5 #mngardening
Lots of zone 5 in MN in this new USDA map. #hard Lots of zone 5 in MN in this new USDA map. 

#hardinesszones #needsmoreresearch #mngardening
RIP, Lola. First photo, 2013, when I was taking he RIP, Lola. First photo, 2013, when I was taking headshots of @resawithoutherspoon and Lola decided to pose, too. Second photo, August 2023, snoozing in the sunroom as an old dog should. She was 15 and spent 13.5 years of her life with us. We will miss you, old girl.
Northern gardeners love their daylilies, and none Northern gardeners love their daylilies, and none more than Wayne and Bonnie Johnson. I had a chance to visit their garden in Alexandria and Wayne shared his 40+ favorite daylilies for the north. Check out the blog post and video over at @mnhort or read the article in the latest issue of Northern Gardener. 📷: Wayne Johnson & me. Link in bio and stories. 

#daylilygarden #mngarden #coldclimateplants #dayliliesofinstagram
Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumberg Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera) bloom in response to lengthening periods of darkness. Street lights, lights in the house and other artificial light can interfere with bloom, so move them to a spot where they will get 12 to14 hours of darkness.

As to which is which, it’s in the leaves. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) has a rounded tip on its leaves. The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has a pointed tip. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms sooner though I have had mine bloom in November, December and April! 

They are not desert plants but are native to the rainforests of Brazil. Water them when the potting mix is dry to the touch. Fertilize monthly from April to October for best growth and bloom, and let them get slightly pot-bound before even thinking about re-potting.

#Christmascactus #thanksgivingcactus #Schlumbergera #holidayplants #indoorplants #mynortherngarden
Most flowering plants sold in grocery stores and f Most flowering plants sold in grocery stores and florists are like bouquets. They’re beautiful but fade. But some of them can be kept growing in the garden. 

I believe this was a daisy mum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) which is USDA Zone 5 hardy. It probably would not come back next year in zone 4, but it sure thrived in a container. Plants are forced into bloom to be sold as gifts — and I think this one was even dyed to give the bloom that more pure purple color it has in the before image. But, I love the magenta color of the second flush of blooms.

To get this to rebloom, I removed it from its original pot, cut off the blooms and put it in a larger container on my deck with fresh soil and occasional fertilizer. (A salvia grew in the same pot.) It didn’t start setting buds until October, so I knew it was touch and go on whether it would bloom before frost. I ended up putting the pot in the sunroom so it can finish its bloom and we can enjoy those amazing magenta flowers. 

What’s next? I may take a cutting of the plant to see if it will bloom again next year!
Are you a bonsai person? They’re not easy but I Are you a bonsai person? They’re not easy but I picked up a few tips from the bonsai curator at @longwoodgardens this fall. Link to blog post in bio and stories. #bonsai #gardentips #indoorgarden #mngardener
Why grow mint in a pot? To prevent it from taking Why grow mint in a pot? To prevent it from taking over your garden! Check out the roots one plant produced in one dry season in USDA Zone 4. If this had been in the ground, it would be mint everywhere. #mint #howtogrow #herbgarden #containergardening #mngardening
Rocks over black plastic — the worst. Here I rip Rocks over black plastic — the worst. Here I rip out four hostas by cutting the plastic in order to plant hydrangeas. The roots of the hostas were both above and below the plastic because when you give a plant a tough situation, it’s going to find away. The rocks are part of my HOA’s design aesthetic so I can only work around the edges to make things healthier for the plants around my townhouse. Wish me luck! 

#rockmulch #justsaynotorockmulch #replanting #hydrangeas #provenwinnerscolorchoiceshrubs #letsdancehydrangeas
Too many blooms weighing down your hydrangea? Clip Too many blooms weighing down your hydrangea? Clip a few off for dried arrangements. I follow the method from Laura of @GardenAnswer. Cut the branches at an angle between two nodes and put them in a vase with just 2 inches of water. That’s it! Don’t add more water. Just let them dry in the vase. You can leave them there for winter decor or use them in fall and winter decorating projects. Easy! 

#gardendecor #falldecorating #hydrangeas #FirstEditionsVanillaStrawberryHydrangea #driedflowers #easyproject
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