November/December 2014

On the Cover: A colorful collection of sedums makes a nice terrarium designed by Alapash in Chicago. Photography By Ron Capek

Features

A New Twist on Terrariums
Exciting plant combinations and new container options bring today’s terrariums to life. By Melinda Myers

Forty Shades of Green
A garden with everything: classic formality, vegetables in the front yard and a cozy rear-yard retreat. By Carolyn Ulrich

Park it Here
It’s not just about the plants. Furniture plays a key role in creating garden beauty. By John Algozzini

Columns

Gardening Basics
12 Garden Myths

The Hands-On Gardener
Create a Succulent Picture

The Indoor Garden
African Violets

Chicagoland Natives
Natives in the Cold

Kids’ Gardening
Be an Egghead

The Garden Classroom
Plants vs. Winter

The Container Garden
Holiday Flourish

Mike Nowak

Departments

Editor’s Letter

Q and A

Ask Our Experts
Miniature gardening is the rage. What enchanting miniature plants work well in a shaded area?

Regional Reports

Potpourri
Gardening News and Views

Calendar of Gardening Events

Special Sections

Order-Direct Gardening

Winter Greens & Activities

September/October 2014

Features

Butterfly Heaven
A small garden in Chicago’s far South Side brings in big numbers of butterflies. By Carolyn Ulrich

Great Underused Shrubs
Our top 10 picks (plus two peonies). By Susan Randstrom Bruck

Flowers and Forms
This garden blends modernity with traditional floral abundance. By Carolyn Ulrich

Columns

Gardening Basics
Fall Maintenance Musts

Curb Appeal
Fanciful Foliage

The Hands-On Gardener
Winter Gardening

The Indoor Garden
Bulbs for Spring Containers

The Edible Garden
Herbs Step Out

Kids’ Gardening
All That Glitters

Chicagoland Natives
Prairie Home Companions

The Garden Classroom
Biochar Basics

The Container Garden
Fall Flair and Flash

Mike Nowak

Departments

Editor’s Letter

Q and A

Ask Our Experts
I have an area that would benefit from ground cover, but want one that does not overwhelm the surrounding areas and become invasive. What are my choices?

Regional Reports

Potpourri
Gardening News and Views

Calendar of Gardening Events

July/August 2014

Features

The Tropics in Chicagoland
Lake Michigan garden has star power with the tropical section taking bows every summer. By Jean Starr

Sky-High Harvests
Local restaurateurs are taking to the roof to grow vegetables and herbs for their kitchens. By Ramon Gonzalez

Schooled in Good Gardening
A space that shows the strong sense of color, form, texture and plain old how-to knowledge of one Villa Park gardener. By Carolyn Ulrich

Columns

Curb Appeal
Walk This Way

Gardening Basics
Unusual Tools

The Hands-On Gardener
Serious Seed Saving

The Edible Garden
Meet the Three Sisters

Chicagoland Natives
Prairie Path Pilgrimage

Kids’ Gardening
Make a Sun Print

Problem Solver
Dealing With a Narrow Space

The Container Garden
Going in Circles

Mike Nowak

Departments

Editor’s Letter

Q and A

Ask Our Experts
What are your recommendations for some great landscape trees for a wet area?

Regional Reports

Potpourri
Gardening News and Views

Calendar of Gardening Events

May/June 2014

On Our Cover

Cover: Rhododendron ‘Mandarin Lights’
Photography By Ron Capek

Features

Bursting Forth
Ted Nyquist’s rhododendrons light up his woodland wonderland. By Nina A. Koziol

Chicago By Design
A diminutive garden on the northwest side of Chicago houses an astonishing array of special plants. By Heather Prince

Old-Fashioned Work and Know-How
An 1880s home has been the perfect setting for a Woodstock couple’s lifetime devotion to art, antiques and gardening. By Michelle Byrne Walsh

Barges and Butterflies
Lake Katherine Nature Center is a green oasis alongside the heavily trafficked Cal-Sag channel. By Cathy Jean Maloney

Columns

The Indoor Garden
Meyer Lemons

Curb Appeal
An Annual Extravaganza

Kids’ Gardening
Build a Sunflower House

The Edible Garden
Vertical Indoor Gardening

Gardening Basics
Direct-Seeding

The Hands-On Gardener
Crafts with Queen Anne’s Lace

Chicagoland Natives
Don’t Plant Dame’s Rocket

The Garden Classroom
Chemicals and Our Water

The Container Garden
Orchids for Shade

Mike Nowak

Departments

Editor’s Letter

Q and A

Ask Our Experts
What are some fast-growing vines I can use for a trellis or fence, especially vines that are fragrant?

Regional Reports

Potpourri
Gardening News and Views

Calendar of Gardening Events

March/April 2014

On Our Cover

Cover: Geum x ‘Wet Kiss’
Photography By Brent Horvath

Features

Geums are Gems
Local plant breeder Brent Horvath updates an underused perennial. By Michelle Byrne Walsh

Chicago By Design
Good design turns a small city backyard into a multi-use space. By Joan Steele

Patio Perfect
A multi-tiered limestone patio garden stands resplendent in this suburban garden. By Carolyn Ulrich

Columns

Gardening Basics
Marking Bulbs

Curb Appeal
Tulips for Spring

The Hands-On Gardener
How to Prune a Climbing Rose

The Indoor Garden
Growing Jasmine

Chicagoland Natives
Native Ferns

Kids’ Gardening
Making Seed Tapes

The Edible Garden
Growing Fruit Trees

The Garden Classroom
Growing Vegetables for Competitions

The Container Garden
Blue, Orange and Bold

Mike Nowak

Departments

Editor’s Letter

Q and A

Ask Our Experts
What are some food crops that are easy to grow organically, and which ones are difficult?

Regional Reports

Potpourri
Gardening News and Views

Calendar of Gardening Events

January/February 2014

On Our Cover
Gomphrena ‘Pink Zazzle’. Photography By Ron Capek

Features

Sunny Disposition, Shady Needs
A local expert picks his favorite plants for sun and shade. By Jim Nau

Ideas for a Successful Pond
A pond garden in Downers Grove shows how to do it right. By Carolyn Ulrich

Plans for Every Pocketbook
Take a modest lot, three different budgets and watch a professional come
up with three different designs. By Cathy Jean Maloney

Columns

Ideas for Houseplants
Ditch the Dirt With Hydroponics

Ideas for Curb Appeal
Creating the “Wow” Factor

Ideas for the Edible Garden
Six Unusual Food Crops to Grow

Ideas for Hardscapes
Professional Tips To Avoid Mistakes

Ideas for Soil
Making It Better

Ideas for Kids’ Gardening
Forcing Bulbs

Ideas for Containers
From One Season to the Next

Ideas for Parkways
Fill Them With Plants

Mike Nowak

Departments

Editor’s Letter