6.  Delicious and Nutritious Fruit

Rich in antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, and essential amino acids, pawpaw fruit is a healthy addition to your kitchen. Use it in smoothies, baking, or even homemade ice cream.

7.  Sustainable & Unique

Support biodiversity and reduce food miles by growing this native fruit tree — an eco-friendly alternative to imported tropical produce.

 

The post Why You Should Grow a Common Pawpaw Tree in Your Backyard appeared first on Platt Hill Nursery.

1. Air Purification

One of the most well-known benefits of the snake plant is its ability to filter indoor air. It effectively removes toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene, improving overall air quality. Unlike many other plants, the snake plant is one of the few capable of producing oxygen at night, making it a perfect choice for bedrooms to enhance sleep quality.

2. Low Maintenance

Snake plants thrive with minimal care, making them ideal for those with busy schedules or limited experience in plant care. They are drought-tolerant and can survive in a range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright, indirect sunlight. Additionally, they require infrequent watering, reducing the risk of overwatering, which is a common issue for many houseplants.

3. Improves Humidity

By releasing water vapor, the snake plant helps regulate indoor humidity levels. Maintaining proper humidity can alleviate issues such as dry skin, respiratory problems, and allergies caused by overly dry air, contributing to overall well-being.

4. Aesthetic Appeal

The snake plant’s tall, upright leaves and unique patterns make it a stylish addition to home or office décor. Available in various sizes and leaf designs, it offers versatility in placement, whether as a centerpiece or a complement to existing decor.

5. Boosts Mood and Productivity

Numerous studies suggest that having plants indoors can enhance mental well-being, reduce stress, and increase focus and productivity. The snake plant’s presence in a workspace or home setting can contribute to a more pleasant and efficient environment.

6. Natural Pest Repellent

Containing saponins*, the snake plant has natural insect-repellent properties. This can help deter pests such as mosquitoes, making it a functional choice for homes seeking a natural method to minimize bugs.

7. Adaptability

Another notable advantage of the snake plant is its ability to thrive in various environments, including those with fluctuating temperatures or low light. This makes it a suitable option for homes, offices, and other indoor spaces where other plants might struggle.

8. Pet Safety Precaution

While the snake plant offers numerous benefits for humans, pet owners should be cautious. If ingested, it can be toxic to cats and dogs, potentially causing nausea or vomiting. Keeping the plant out of reach of pets can help prevent any unwanted incidents.

Conclusion

The snake plant is more than just an attractive houseplant—it is a practical, health-enhancing addition to any indoor space. With its air-purifying properties, low maintenance, and ability to boost mood and humidity levels, this resilient plant is a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their living environment effortlessly. Whether you are a seasoned plant lover or just beginning your indoor gardening journey, the snake plant is an excellent choice for both beauty and function.

Additional Information:
5 Houseplants for Beginners
A Guide to Advanced Indoor Plant Care
Houseplants as Living Decor

*Saponins are a class of naturally occurring chemical compounds found in various plant species. They are known for their soap-like properties, as they create foam when mixed with water. These compounds serve multiple functions in plants, including acting as a natural defense mechanism against pests and microbes.

Key Characteristics of Saponins:

1. Natural Pest Repellent: Saponins deter insects and herbivores due to their bitter taste and potential toxicity to some pests.
2. Antimicrobial Properties: They help protect plants from fungi, bacteria, and other pathogens.
3. Foaming Ability: When shaken with water, saponins create a soapy lather, which is why they have been used in natural soap production.
4. Found in Many Plants: Apart from the snake plant, saponins are present in foods like quinoa, beans, ginseng, and some herbs.

While saponins offer various benefits for plants, they can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested, which is why snake plants should be kept out of reach of cats and dogs.

The post The Benefits of the Snake Plant: A Hardy and Health-Boosting Houseplant appeared first on Platt Hill Nursery.

Ah, sleep—the elusive, magical state where dreams weave their tales, and the world takes a backseat for a while. If you’ve been tossing and turning, desperately seeking the sweet embrace of slumber, your solution might just be a leafy green friend. Believe it or not, houseplants aren’t just pretty additions to your room; they can be the secret to inducing better sleep, too! 

The Science Behind Sleep & Plants 

In recent years, houseplants have been touted for bringing many benefits to your indoor climate—including stress reduction, enhanced creativity, and better focus. Can they also help induce better sleep? It turns out that many of the benefits that houseplants bring to our waking hours can help us improve our slumber as well!

1. Oxygen Production

Have you ever woken up unusually refreshed from a night sleeping in a tent and wondered why? Part of the reason lies in the greater access to fresh air. While we’re swimming through the dreamworld, our bodies and brains are busy repairing cells, and this process requires oxygen. Since plants exhale oxygen into our rooms, they create a better atmosphere for the repair processes of sleep. The result? With houseplants by our side, we wake up feeling fresher and more lively.

2. Air Purification

Many houseplants not only emit O2, but also act as natural purifiers, removing toxins and impurities from the air. This not only enhances the quality of the air you breathe, but also reduces the risk of respiratory issues and allergies, inducing a cleaner and healthier sleep.

3. Humidity Regulation

Certain plants, such as ferns, help maintain optimal humidity levels in the air. This can be particularly beneficial in preventing dryness in the respiratory tract and skin, leading to a more comfortable sleep experience. Balanced humidity levels can also alleviate issues like snoring and dry throat.

4. Stress Reduction

The presence of greenery has been linked to stress reduction and improved mental well-being. Houseplants contribute to a calming atmosphere, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Lower stress levels make it easier for individuals to unwind and transition into a restful sleep.

5. Aesthetic Appeal

Beyond their physiological benefits, houseplants enhance the overall aesthetics of a bedroom. A visually-pleasing and well-designed space can have a positive impact on mood and mental state, creating a more enjoyable and calming atmosphere for inducing sleep.

6. Fragrance and Aromatherapy

Certain plants, like lavender and chamomile, emit calming and soothing fragrances. The use of aromatherapy has been shown to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. The gentle scent of these plants can create a sensory cue that signals the body and mind to prepare for sleep.

The Top Sleep-Inducing Houseplants 

Ferns

With their feathery fronds, ferns bring a touch of the forest to your bedroom. These green companions are like natural air humidifiers, maintaining the right moisture levels for a comfortable sleep. The Boston fern, in particular, is a sleep superstar, known for its air-purifying prowess.

Snake Plants

Also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, this resilient houseplant converts CO2 into oxygen at night. It’s a NASA-approved air purifier, tackling toxins and creating a sleep sanctuary. Plus, its vertical leaves add a touch of sophistication to your bedroom.

Gardenia

If sweet-scented dreams are what you’re after, the gardenia is your go-to plant. Its intoxicating fragrance has calming effects, helping you relax and unwind. Place it near your bed, and let the soothing aroma pave the way to dreamland.

Chamomile

Yes, it’s not just for tea. Chamomile, with its delicate white flowers, is a common plant for soothing insomnia. The mere presence of this plant can evoke feelings of calmness. 

Bonus: brew a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime for a double dose of sleepy goodness!

Peace Lily 

Graceful and serene, the peace lily is not just about aesthetics. This plant is an expert in removing mold spores from the air, reducing allergies, and promoting a peaceful night’s sleep. Keep this beauty on your nightstand for a double dose of elegance and tranquility.

Lavender

Lavender isn’t just for sachets; it’s one of the best houseplants for better sleep. Known for reducing stress and anxiety, the scent of lavender can promote a deep, restful slumber. Consider placing a potted lavender plant on your nightstand or using lavender essential oil for a tranquil sleep haven.

By improving the overall atmosphere of your room—through aesthetics, air quality, oxygen, and peacefulness—you make your sleep more rejuvenative and relaxing. It’s one more example of the mutually-beneficial relationship between plants and humans, and how if we take care of plants, they will take care of us. 

To see these sleep-inducing houseplants and others in person, come visit our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville! 

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

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Like a canvas of untouched snow, the new year opens before us. The sunlight is starting to return, and our local Illinois plants are eagerly awaiting a season of new blossoms and growth, which means it’s time for us to also start preparing for a new beginning with these 2024 New Year’s resolutions for gardeners! 

Resolution 1: Grow Your Garden to Its Fullest 

Now is the perfect time to take stock of those empty spaces in your garden and help them realize their full potential. Take advantage of shade-loving species, wet-or dry-loving plants, hardy native species, and a diverse array of vegetables, wildflowers, and local trees. Resolve to grow your garden to the fullest this year—blossoms, berries, vegetables, fruit, leaves, and more! 

Resolution 2: Invite Birds, Bees, and Butterflies to Your Garden 

Let your garden be a haven for pollinators and other beneficial insects in 2024. Choose a diversity of flowering plants, especially species native to the Chicago area, to provide these winged wonders with a continuous supply of nectar throughout the year. When you create a pollinator paradise, you ensure the health and vitality of your garden and our entire local ecosystem.

Resolution 3: Prioritize Your Garden’s Health and Resilience 

This New Year’s, resolve to build a healthy foundation for your garden by adding compost, applying compost tea, mulching, cover cropping, testing for deficiencies, and adding amendments as needed. Also, take advantage of water-wise practices such as rain barrels and drip irrigation to conserve this precious resource without sacrificing your garden’s beauty. Prune proactively to ensure its abundance, beauty, and longevity. A new growing season is also the perfect time to take measures to make your garden more resilient against extreme weather.

Resolution 4: Master a New Gardening Skill 

We’re currently in the midst of a botanical revival, with breakthroughs in soil science, permaculture, ecological gardening, heirloom plant revivals, and more happening on a near-constant basis. Take advantage of this influx of knowledge by resolving to learn one new gardening skill in 2024. Do this by attending a gardening workshop, joining a gardening club, exchanging knowledge with neighbors, learning from local experts, or just spending a bit of time on Google!

Resolution 5: Year-Round Bounty: Plan for a Continuous Harvest

The dream of a year-round harvest is closer than you may think with strategic planning. Aim to embrace the art of succession planting, choose seasonal varieties thoughtfully, grow a wide range of crops, and experiment with indoor gardening to extend your 2024 growing season and enjoy homegrown vegetables all year long!

Resolution 6: Share Your Garden’s Abundance

As gardeners, we’re constantly bearing witness to the earth’s natural abundance; our apple tree provides us with more fruit than we can ever possibly harvest, and with a single successful spinach harvest, we suddenly have more salads than we can eat! This year, make a resolution to share these gifts with your local community. When we make giving part of our gardening, we align ourselves with the natural generosity of the earth!  

Resolution 7: Get to Know Your Local Bioregion 

By exploring more of our local bioregion, we uncover a forgotten piece of our identity and open our eyes to the unique life that grows here. It’s easiest to do this by exploring nearby wild parks, after which we can take these discoveries home to our gardens, where we can align our gardening practices with the local climate, foster local biodiversity, and enjoy the friendship of the many native plants, birds, and insects who also call Chicagoland home. 

Resolution 8: Cultivate Connection by Joining a Gardening Community

Gardening is not a solely solitary pursuit; it’s a communal celebration of growth and shared passion. In the coming year, make a resolution to cultivate connections within your local gardening community. Join a gardening club, attend workshops and events, or simply visit your neighbors’ gardens to exchange ideas, share experiences, and draw inspiration from fellow green thumbs in your community. By nurturing a sense of community, you expand your knowledge, find encouragement from like-minded people, and share in the joy of cultivating life from the soil.

Resolution 9: Get to Know Your Existing Plants Better 

Your garden’s existing trees and shrubs are sometimes like old friends you haven’t contacted in a while, waiting patiently in the background with their gifts of fresh air, flowers, and berries. This New Year, it’s time to keep up our part of the relationship and pay our old friends more attention. Even if it’s a stalwart oak that requires very little from us, spend some time with your tree, get to know its likes and dislikes, and watch your relationship blossom in new ways!   

Resolution 10: Grow Plants that You Love 

The plant world is too vast, and Illinois’ growing season is too short to waste time, space, and resources on plants you don’t absolutely adore, so this year, resolve to dedicate whatever garden space you have to an assortment of your favorite species and varieties, whether they be vegetables, berry bushes, garden perennials, or native wildflowers. 

Resolution 11: Get the Kids Involved 

Few activities are as enriching for kids as gardening. Just think about it—where else can you play in the dirt, see a seed grow into a sunflower, frolic among butterflies, and binge on fresh raspberries? Your garden can quickly become your kids’ paradise, connecting them with the natural world and teaching them lifelong skills. Get them, their friends, and even the neighbor kids involved and excited about the wonders of the natural world! 

Resolution 12: Thin the Carrots 

Successful gardening is often about details. Even lifelong gardeners sometimes forget to do simple tasks that make a garden grow—like thinning the carrots. This year, take a vow to stay on top of your garden’s tiniest details and promise yourself that you’ll take care of all those small tasks that have a big impact on your garden!

The gardening resolutions you make this year can help you, your garden, and your community grow. Each new skill, friend, and piece of knowledge you gain helps you create abundance for yourself and your community. For more expert advice and inspiration for creating your own gardening New Year resolutions, visit our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville, and keep up to date with our regular blogs! Let’s make 2024 a year to blossom!

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

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A garden is more than just a simple feast for the eyes; it is a sanctuary that nurtures our well-being. The vibrant colors contained within garden spaces go beyond mere aesthetics to create an enchanting atmosphere that uplifts our spirits, soothes our minds, and nurtures our well-being. Below, you’ll learn the unique healing power of each color and discover the best flower schemes for bringing that therapeutic energy into your garden! 

What is Color Therapy?

Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is a holistic healing practice that uses the power of colors to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It is based on the belief that each color possesses a unique energy that can positively influence our mood, emotions, and overall health.

How Can I Use Color Therapy in My Chicagoland Garden? 

By intentionally implementing specific color schemes in our garden’s design through flowers, foliage, decor, and other ornamental elements, we can create a place that stimulates our senses, balances our energy, and renews our connection with nature around and within us. Whether it’s the vibrant reds that energize, the calming blues that promote relaxation, or the cheerful yellows that evoke happiness, color therapy in the garden offers a rejuvenating way to engage with the healing power of color.

How to Create a Therapeutic Color Garden in Illinois 

Here are some of the most popular therapeutic shades to add to your garden’s color scheme this year: 

Radiant Red 

Red is synonymous with passion and vitality. It grounds our emotions, evokes a sense of security, and ignites our enthusiasm. The dazzling Cardinal Flower proudly showcases its scarlet petals, while the cheerful Scarlet Beebalm adds vibrant strokes of crimson, making them both excellent additions to any Illinois garden. You can take your red garden color scheme a step further by complementing these native blooms with fiery red poppies and vibrant, annual geraniums, which infuse your outdoor space with energy and create a healing base from which you can explore other experiences.

Luminous Orange

Orange radiates warmth and optimism and corresponds to creativity, spontaneity, and healthy emotional expression. Some excellent native Illinois varieties with this color scheme include the vibrant Butterfly Milkweed, which flaunts its orange clusters of flowers, or the delicate Jewelweed with its enchantingly graceful blossoms. For even more orange in your garden’s color scheme, try using striking annual marigolds and cheerful annual zinnias to evoke feelings of joy, playfulness, and a zest for adventure.

Blissful Yellow

Yellow is the color of sunshine and happiness and also corresponds to courage, power, and healthy self-esteem, giving it the power to instantly brighten our days and lift our spirits. Yarrow will beam in your garden with their clusters of yellow flowers, while charming Black-eyed Susan’s captures the essence of summer like no other flower. Alongside these native Illinois beauties shine perennials like Goldenrod and Daffodils, which promote vigorous activity, radiance, and happiness.

Serene Green

Synonymous with the calm of nature and representing compassion, love, and heart-centeredness, green has a soothing and restorative effect in the garden. For Illinois gardens, we recommend the elegant Prairie Dropseed, gently swaying with its lush green foliage, or the bold Elephant Ears. You can then use garden favorites like ferns and hostas to further fill in any shady spots with rich shades of leafy green. These plants all promote harmony, renewal, and a deep connection with the natural world.
(Image credit to: NetPS Plant Finder)

Clairvoyant Blue

Blue is a color that both painters and skilled gardeners commonly use to balance warm colors and create an alluring shadow in their scenes and landscapes. Blue Wild Indigo and Dwarf Balloon Flower are two native Illinois flowers that infuse your garden with serenity and insight to create a peaceful ambiance, one which can be further enhanced by the inclusion of hydrangeas, delphiniums, and monkshood. The presence of these garden treasures helps us find solace, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of inner peace.

Enchanting Pink 

Pink exudes tenderness, affection, and a radiant zest for life. To bring a splash of pink into your garden’s color scheme, try experimenting with groundcovers such as creeping phlox, or classic perennials like peonies. Roses and carnations are two other well-loved pink flowers that fill your garden with warmth, empathy, vitality, and a celebration of nurturing relationships.  In Illinois, the Magnus Coneflower reigns supreme with its captivating pink petals.

Majestic Purple 

The color purple is often associated with royalty and spirituality. It sparks our imagination and deepens our connection with the divine. Russian Sage is a deep-purple favorite of ours, while the exquisite Spiderwort adds a touch of ethereal charm. Complementing these native treasures are irises, lilacs, and lavender. These vibrant purple flowers stimulate inspiration, promote harmony, and awaken a sense of wonder.

Pure White

Like purple, white is also associated with the divine and enlightenment. Depending on your personal views, it may also bring an emotional response of purity, forgiveness, and peace. If you’re searching for white color schemes, try planting the white campanula, or white catmint. Garden favorites like lilies and ‘Floristan White’ Liatris are other fantastic additions for creating a serene white sanctuary. The presence of white petals purifies our thoughts, creates a sense of spaciousness, and invites renewal.

How Do I Create a Color Scheme for My Chicago Garden? 

There are many ways you can combine colors in your garden to achieve a unique color scheme. For instance, you can create stunning contrasting displays by combining warm and cool colors, such as by using shades of blue as an alluring shadow for your reds, oranges, and yellows. Another stylish design idea is to create color zones in your garden by emphasizing different colors in different areas of your landscape, depending on their purpose and the atmosphere you want to promote. Finally, repeating colors and color echoing are two other savvy design schemes that increase the emotional effect of certain colors and create a sense of harmony and cohesiveness throughout your space. 

More Tips on Using Color Therapy in Your Garden’s Color Scheme

Using color therapy adds another dimension of healing and inspiration to your garden, with each unique color corresponding to a certain energy level, vibration, and wavelength. However, remember that the specific symbolism of a color is ultimately less important than the way it makes you feel. For instance, if you feel a special affinity for blue, go with a blue-centered plant color scheme in your garden to help you better connect with it. If something about green speaks particularly strongly to you, immerse yourself in the leafy embrace of your favorite foliage plants. Each plant offers something unique to each of us, so coming up with your garden’s color scheme is just as much about how you respond to specific colors as it is about the atmosphere and emotions you wish to instill in your space.

For more inspiration and ideas to help you use color therapy in your garden’s color scheme, please come visit us at our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville! 

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

The post Exploring the Therapeutic Power of a Colorful Garden appeared first on Platt Hill Nursery.

How Do You Make an Outdoor Meditation Space?

• Choose a Secluded Spot 

The first step in creating your outdoor meditation space is to select the ideal location. Look for a quiet and secluded area in your garden, away from distractions. It’s uncomfortable to have nosey neighbors watching as you meditate, so find a tranquil refuge behind a grove of shrubs, a folding screen, or any type of greenery.  

• Clean the Area 

Remove any clutter, debris, or weeds to create a tranquil and vibrant meditation space. This allows positive energy to flow and starts the process of creating a dedicated outdoor spot that fosters relaxation and well-being.  

• Define the Boundaries

Defining the boundaries can be a helpful way to keep your space ready for meditation and build a positive atmosphere over time. To ensure continuity with the rest of your garden, it’s not necessary to completely fence it off. Rather, you can define the space with stones, plants, a low fence, or by installing a wooden sitting platform.  

How Do You Design an Outdoor Meditation Space? 

Once you’ve chosen, cleaned, and defined the spot, you can begin designing an outdoor meditation space that works for you and harmonizes with the surrounding garden. Remember, it doesn’t have to be elaborate—simplicity is good—but it should feel comfortable and inviting. Here are some suggestions of what to include: 

• Comfortable Seating

A seat can be as simple as a blanket or cushion set on the ground when you’re ready to meditate outside. Depending on your seating preferences, you can also install a wooden platform or bench.       

• Connect with the Elements 

Bringing in natural elements can help you connect with nature and enhance the serenity of your outdoor space. Consider adding a bowl of water or a small fountain for the water element and a stable place to light a candle or lantern to introduce the fire element. For earth elements, you can add decorative stones or a structural boulder. 

• Connect with the Plants

Meditating in the company of a mature tree can enhance the tranquility and ease of your outdoor practice. A setting of vibrant greenery also creates a revitalizing space. The extra oxygen and natural tranquility of plants create a regenerative and peaceful ambiance. Both potted plants and additional planting are ways to bring plant life to your outdoor meditation space.   

Bringing Ambiance to Your Outdoor Meditation Space in Chicago  

Whether you’re in the city or in a more suburban or rural setting, the following elements can help block out distractions and create an ambiance for presence and introspection: 

• Lighting: Opt for soft, natural lighting during the day. If your space is exposed to direct sunlight, use a shade cloth or hang a sheer curtain to create a diffused light effect. Use candles or lanterns in the evening to create a warm and inviting outdoor atmosphere.

• Soundscape: Aim for tranquility by minimizing external noises outdoors. If your garden is prone to disturbances, consider using a white noise machine, a trickling fountain, or playing gentle nature sounds to mask unwanted sounds.

• Scent: If you feel inspired, introduce pleasant aromas to your meditation space using scented candles, incense, or essential oils. Lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood are popular choices known for their calming properties. You can also bring scents in with herbs, aromatic flowers, and potted plants.  

Finishing Touches for an Inviting Outdoor Meditation Space in Illinois

• Personalize Your Space by placing inspiring quotes or affirmations on small plaques or stones. They can serve as gentle reminders during your meditation practice. You can also incorporate personal items such as crystals, statues, or photographs that hold special meaning for you. These objects can help you establish a deeper connection with your practice.

• Maintain Your Outdoor Space Regularly by removing fallen leaves, dusting surfaces, and trimming nearby plants. A well-maintained space will create a sense of peace and serenity.

Creating a meditation space in your garden can be a transformative experience. It provides a sacred sanctuary where you can escape the stresses of everyday life and connect with your inner self. By carefully choosing the location, designing the space, and personalizing it to reflect your unique journey, you can create a tranquil oasis that nourishes your mind, body, and spirit. 

To see plants and supplies for creating your outdoor meditation space, feel free to visit our garden center in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville! 

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

The post Creating a Tranquil Meditation Space in Your Garden appeared first on Platt Hill Nursery.

What is the Purpose of a Sensory Garden? 

Unlike other landscapes, sensory gardens are specially designed to engage all five of your senses, going beyond the visual beauty of flowers to create an experience for our eyes, ears, noses, fingers, and even tongues. Sensory gardens awaken parts of ourselves that have long fallen dormant amongst our unengaging urban landscapes of roadways and parking lots, often without our realizing it. As a result, they heal, revive, and inspire forgotten facets of ourselves that have fallen into disuse.  

What are Some Sensory Garden Benefits? 

Our senses have co-evolved in an intimate relationship with the amazing complexity and diversity of old-growth spaces. We’ve spent most of our evolutionary history walking through wildflower meadows and ancient forests, surrounded by birds, insects, plants, animals, sky, and earth. Today, however, many of our modern landscapes are missing this multidimensional collage of life that once engaged us. Recovering this bond with nature through a sensory garden has many benefits, including:  

• Therapeutic Healing: Ever find yourself overwhelmed by the bustle and noise of city life? A sensory garden restores our inner balance by immersing us in a soothing yet engaging space, reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, and benefiting mental well-being in the process.

• Mindfulness: Often, it can seem like our inner monologues are stuck on repeat, constantly worrying about the future and the past without ever taking the time to enjoy the present. When our senses are engaged, they ground us in the present moment, allowing us to turn our brains off for a brief moment and simply be. 

• Creative Inspiration: Being in a state of present relaxation allows us to tap into our creativity, sense of play, and inner joy more easily. Our nervous system becomes replenished through contact with a rich ecosystem, and insights, ideas, and epiphanies become more frequent and possible.  

• Sensory Exploration: Most jobs require thinking, often in a cold office setting or other indoor areas, meaning we rarely have time to enjoy the more sensuous aspects of life. Among the melodies of birdsong and the fragrance of herbs, you can reconnect with the simple natural pleasures on offer from the living world. 

How to Design a Sensory Garden in Chicago 

Before you can reap its many benefits, your sensory garden first needs an engaging design. The key is to incorporate elements for each of the five senses: 

• Sight: Incorporate a variety of colorful flowers, textured foliage, and interesting focal points. Play around with contrasting and complementary elements, and choose a selection of plants that will keep your garden colorful year-round. For extra visual interest, attract butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden by adopting insect-friendly practices and habitats. 

• Smell: Introduce fragrant plants like lavender, jasmine, roses, lilac, honeysuckle, pine, bee balm, echinacea, and herbs. Position them along pathways or near seating areas to immerse you and your guests in their delightful aromas.
• Touch: Incorporate plants with different textures, such as soft grasses, fuzzy leaves, and rough barks, and include features like water fountains, wind chimes, and textured sculptures to provide tactile stimulation. Different hardscapes also create unique tactile experiences, like mulch pathways, brick patios, and rock gardens. 
• Sound: Bring music to your garden with flowing water features, leaves rustling in the wind, and wind chimes. You can also encourage more birdsong by creating bird habitats in your yard. These gentle sounds promote relaxation and create a tranquil ambiance.
• Taste: Integrate edible plants like herbs, berries, or vegetables into your garden, and encourage your visitors to engage their taste buds by sampling your fresh produce.

The end result is a multidimensional sensory treat, a natural orchestra alive with scents, colors, tastes, and music that reconnects us with nature and all its benefits.   

Giving Your Sensory Garden a Local Illinois Feel

Designing a sensory garden gives you a great opportunity to dive into the sensory experience of our local Illinois plants and embrace the unique yet uncannily familiar smells, looks, and tastes of our native species. By using local plants and materials in your sensory garden, you can explore and preserve your local ecosystem while showcasing its unique character and charm to your neighbors, a real win-win scenario that benefits everyone!

For more information on sensory gardens and their benefits or to simply browse our extensive selection of plants, feel free to visit our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville! 

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

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How Do You Start an Edible Orchard in Chicago?

The first step to starting a backyard orchard is to see where you can plant new fruit trees. Most fruit trees need about 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, so if you don’t have enough light, you might be better off planting berries, which can tolerate more shade. You also need to consider if you have enough space, as this will determine the types and number of trees you can grow. If your space is limited, remember that you can choose dwarf varieties or keep your trees pruned to a small size. 

Which Fruit Trees Can You Grow in Illinois? 

The next step is to see which trees you can include in your edible orchard. Fortunately, we can grow a wide variety of fruit in Illinois, including the following: 

Apples

Illinois may not be one of the top apple-producing states, but we can still grow plenty of delicious apple varieties. Whether you’re baking, storing, or eating them straight from the tree, you can certainly find a variety to match your taste. Honeycrisp, Gala, Braeburn, Fuji, Red Fuji, and Pink Lady are just a few popular apple varieties you can grow in the Chicago area.   

Cherries

If you’re looking for a cherry to grow in Illinois that’s sweet enough to eat right off the tree, look no further than the hardy Stella variety. Likewise, the Montmorency and North Star are just two of the hardy, sour cherry varieties that thrive in our state. These sour cherries are also the perfect fruit for baking into pies, turning into jam, pressing into juice, or even eating right off the tree.   

Pears 

Humans have been cultivating and eating pears for at least 4000 years, and we can thank these generations of orchardists for breeding pears that thrive in our climate. The Barlett, D’Anjou, Asian 20th Century, and Asian Shinseiki are four excellent choices for the Chicagoland area that each have their own unique texture and flavor. Besides providing their succulent fruit, pear trees are also prized for their beauty, making them a beautiful and delicious addition to your backyard! 

An edible orchard is one of the easiest things to plant and one of the greatest long-term gifts you can give to you and your garden.

Peaches

Craving peaches? If so, you don’t have to wait for shipments from Georgia. Instead, you can grow peaches right in your Chicagoland edible orchard. The succulent and almost fuzzless Red Haven is a top seller, just ahead of the quintessential Elberta peach with its equally juicy yellow flesh. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can also choose the Saturn Peach, which has sweet, white flesh and a unique donut shape. All three are freestone and produce an abundance of fruit. 

Apricots 

Apricots don’t ship very well, so they’re best enjoyed fresh from the tree. If you’re looking to try your hand at cultivating homegrown apricots, try out the Moongold variety, which has showy white flowers and ripens in July. 

Plums  

Plums are another fruit that’s best enjoyed straight off the tree. After all, is there anything better than ripe, juicy plums that explode in your mouth? Whether you’re into dehydrating, jam-making, or just eating, a plum tree is always a great asset to your edible orchard. Some of our favorites include the popular Stanley plum, with its characteristic blue skin and green flesh, or the equally tasty red-skinned and golden-orange-fleshed Santa Rosa.

Does My Edible Orchard Need Companion Trees? 

Some fruit varieties need companion trees to help with pollination in the spring. For example, most apple trees need another planted close by to ensure pollination, meaning you either need to plant two apple trees or count on your neighbor’s trees to act as companions. 

You don’t need to grow a full orchard to enjoy fruit trees within arm’s reach of the kitchen. Even one or two trees can provide an abundance of delicious, healthy fruit for your family. The challenge is rarely in growing them but rather in knowing how to use them when the harvest comes. Sauces, pies, fruit leather, jams, and other preserves are all incredibly tasty ways to use up excess fruit, and if you still have leftovers, you can always share them with the neighbors. 

If you’re ready to grow fresh fruit this summer, visit our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville to select the best trees for your edible orchard!

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

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Our sense of smell is very much attached to our emotions. Growing scented plants in our homes is a great way to take advantage of their natural aromatherapy. To see our full selection of plants, please visit our nurseries and garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville. 

 

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

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What are the Best Winter Houseplants?

Snake Plant: Excellent at removing toxins like formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene from the air. These chemicals seep into the air from all kinds of sources; the building materials in your home, furniture, even those rubber-soled shoes! Sansevieria absorbs and converts them into pure oxygen. Just one Snake Plant can make a big difference in air quality and aesthetic for a small, dimly-lit office or bedroom. These easy-to-care-for plants perform well in lower light conditions, especially during the winter when there aren’t many daylight hours.

Chinese Evergreen: This plant‘s joyful, variegated green leaves may shake your winter blues with its color alone. With lots of big leaves, it’s another heavy breather that quietly filters your home atmosphere while you’re going about your day. As slow, steady growers who aren’t too fussy about their conditions, they also have some wisdom to teach as we try to make it through the cold months. 

English Ivy: like many vines, English Ivy’s laid-back, hanging form reminds us to relax and let go of our stress this winter. It’s also beautiful when displayed in a hanging basket. The lush, dark green leaves also counteract the gray skies outside and do a great job filtering our air, again keeping those blues away! 

Pothos: The Pothos is another vine with abundant green leaves. Growing 10-18 inches per month, you can almost watch its vines expand. You can also easily trim them and use the cuttings to propagate more plants, giving you an excuse to get your hands in the soil during the winter. Plus, they’re another plant that’s great at reducing household toxins. 

Cacti & Succulents: What benefits can a humble cactus or succulent offer you during the winter? Well, there’s something resolutely charming about these desert plants. The monks of the plant world, Cacti and Succulents remain happy even in the harshest of desert conditions, a lesson we can all learn from in the midst of such a blue period! Plus, as smaller-sized plants, they make great companions on your desk or anywhere else where you’re low on space.  

ZZ Plant: This houseplant is another low-maintenance companion that thrives with little water. Unlike the cacti, however, ZZ plants also do well in low-light conditions. Originating from southern Africa, it brings a warm atmosphere into your home as you wait out the cold spells.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? 

It’s completely normal to feel a little sleepier during the winter months. With long nights, frigid temperatures, and many plants and animals hibernating, it’s also part of our natural cycle to want to cozy up near the fire and listen to stories. In some cases, however, the winter blues can turn into seasonal depression, which psychologists have formally dubbed Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

As with any psychological issue, the causes can be difficult to determine and depend on your personal circumstances. Therefore, we recommend seeking professional help if you are struggling with SAD. That being said, changing your home environment with added houseplants can definitely help improve mild cases of the winter blues by bringing bright, vibrant life into your space!  

Do Houseplants Help With Seasonal Depression?

If you can’t go outside as much in the winter, you can always bring a piece of nature indoors to enhance your home environment. Scientific studies and personal experience both attest to the benefits of caring for and being in the presence of plants in the midst of winter blues, the most obvious being the enhanced oxygen and air-purifying qualities they provide. 

Do you ever feel more creative when out in a forest? Houseplants bring a piece of that inspiration indoors, too. Studies have also shown that houseplants enhance creativity, reduce stress, and thus improve our focus. 

Even more research is also just now coming out to reveal the connection between bacteria in the soil and our happiness. Just digging in plant soil and inhaling the microbes within can give us a boost of serotonin, which perhaps explains the sheer joy we get from gardening in general. As it turns out, we inhale these soil microbes—and reap their benefits—by taking care of houseplants, too! Houseplants are truly an effective natural remedy for those pesky winter blues.

At the end of the day, most houseplants will make great companions over the winter. As soon as you’ve got a lot of them growing in your home, it’s easy to notice the difference in oxygen levels and the mood boost they bring. To see a greater selection of houseplants sure to shake those winter blues, drop by our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville today! 

Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago’s premier garden center and nursery.

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