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
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
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
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
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
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
Q and A
Ask Our Experts
What is a garden mistake that you made in the past, and what did you learn from the experience?
Regional Reports
Savvy Shopper
Potpourri
Gardening News and Views
Calendar of Gardening Events