March/April 2000

Spring (the reason we put up with a Chicago winter) is back, and with it the return of familiar joys. Soon masses of yellow forsythia and Cornus mas will be shimmering against the blues of the warming sky, followed by the pinks and whites of magnolia, redbud and crabapple. Although this is the season of bulbs, without the towering clouds of color provided by trees and shrubs, the beauty that so excites us this time of year would be much diminished.

Horticulturist Kate Jerome explores many of these blooming wonders in this issue's cover story, going beyond the familiar to include the uncharted territory of maples, which bloom well before their leaves emerge. In recent years, there's been a buzz surrounding 'Autumn Blaze', a maple cultivar that the Iowa Nursery and Landscape Association named the Tree of the Year in 1997. Fast-growing, colorful in fall, and hardy to zone 3, it's one of the most wanted trees in the industry. (Story pg. 28).

With the return of spring, we start thinking hard about getting back into the garden. For inspiration we offer two local showplaces. One belongs to Doris Zielinski, who excels at whatever she decides to do, and the other demonstrates how Mariani Landscape reworked an area of dry shade to create an appealing woodland environment.

For practical help, we offer two stories as well. First, Patty Peltier visits Don Orton, whose careful, groundbreaking (no pun intended) research demonstrates how to reduce the use of pesticides by applying them only when they're most likely to be effective. It's important to remember, of course, that most insects are actually good guys. Then, for those whose lawn often ends up catching a cold, we have a story by Bruce Spangenberg of University of Illinois Extension. An expert on lawn care, Spangenberg examines four common lawn diseases and tells how to treat them. 

Perhaps you want to grow something totally new this year. If so, journey with Woodruff Imberman to the Chicago Botanic Garden where John Swenson tended a Garden of Weird Vegetables last year. (Yes, that's the name.) We'll also discuss how to grow the North American shooting star (Dodecatheon media) and the South American tuberous begonia. It's an exciting issue, full of the excitement we feel at the thought of getting back in the garden again.

If what thrills you is growing food, please plan to enter our annual garden contest, devoted this year to vegetable gardening. There's an idea out there that vegetable gardens can be attractive too, and we'd like to prove the point by featuring the good growers whose plots are both productive and pretty. The winners always receive nice prizes and are featured in the following year's January-February issue. Gardens will be judged for appearance and productivity. Entry deadline: August 1. 

We also hope to see you at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, held this year March 11-19 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue in Chicago. The theme for the new show is "Through the Garden Gate: A Wonderland of Spring," and it promises to be lots of fun. Gardens, how-to seminars, and sales booths will offer something for everyone, including children. We will be there as always, greeting you and hoping to talk about gardening at Booth 125. 

You may have noticed some changes in the masthead. Terri Wymore, our art director, has moved to a company that designs web sites. The good news here is that she will be continuing as the designer of our own web site. See her fine work and check us out at www.chicagolandgardening.com. We welcome Diane Curran to our ranks as Terri's replacement. Diane is an accomplished designer and illustrator, and we look forward to working together. Finally, note that Bill Aldrich, the founder of Chicagoland Gardening, is on sabbatical, taking a much deserved leave of absence. We wish him-and you-a happy, productive season in the garden.