May / June 2001

I recently received a letter from a wholesale perennial grower, full of lamentations about the cost of gas. "Even though we do not run much heat in the off season, we have been hit with increases of almost 10 times over last year at this same period," she wrote, explaining why she was marking up the cost of her gallon pots, even to customers who had placed orders months before.

A professional orchid grower continued the theme when he commented that "anything grown in a greenhouse is bound to become more expensive." Orchids, of course, but also houseplants and annuals. Expect those four-packs to cost more this year and pay up willingly. We're not being gouged. Growers can't stay in business without meeting costs. As long as gas remains high, we're going to see it reflected in prices at the garden centers.

Does this mean we should cut down on buying plants? Absolutely not. But it does suggest the need for more informed shopping and a keener eye towards post-checkout maintenance. Which is exactly where Chicagoland Gardening comes in. From the beginning, our mission has been to serve you, the Chicago-area gardener, with information geared to this region, information you can use, as well as ideas to fuel your dreams of a more beautiful outdoor living space.¬Ý

This issue is no exception. We start with a look at the cutting garden, an idea whose time has come back. Cathy Maloney surveys the possibilities, ranging from backyard cutting gardens to a pick-your-own field to bouquets purchased at a farmers' market. And then along comes Adele Kleine, floral designer and gardener, to provide tips on arranging what you've collected.

Because May is so busy, we're especially pleased that Ron Wolford from University of Illinois Extension is here with his ever-helpful What To Do page to get us focused. And Shirley Remes reports on another Extension-assisted effort: the trial compost gardens that DuPage County Master Gardeners built to see if compost really does make your garden grow better. (Find out on page 11). Those who suffer from garden-related allergies will be interested in reading Kate Jerome's account of two recently-published books on the subject. Are garden allergies becoming more common? One author thinks so and has a reason why. (Page 26)

May can also be hectic when it comes to shopping. What should we buy? Coleus, for starters. Betty Earl explains that new sun-tolerant cultivars are making the dullards from grandma's day a thing of the past. Many local garden centers will be selling them. And if you've noticed that your garden seems to take a breather between the bulbs and the roses, we offer a list of plants the editorial staff has grown for their own "in-between" gardens. Of course, it's never too early to starting thinking about daylilies, and Adele Kleine suggests where you can find friendly groups of people who think about this Midwestern mainstay year-round.

Starting from scratch? A visit to the five-year-old garden of Dan and Samantha Ellinghausen will inspire you to greatness. Woody plants are where you begin, and the selections made by the Ellinghausens can guide your own choices. Their perennial border will set your dreams spinning as well. Vines, shade, groundcover, a pond-this garden has it all.

We might say the same about this issue. We hope it serves you well.