Here is a message that I received on the day of the tragedy, Sept 11, 2001, and I believe the words are still true today.

TO: Members of the University Community

The national tragedy unfolding today reminds us that unresolved geopolitical issues can have enormous consequences in unexpected and horrible ways. As all members of the University of Illinois family, we can only react with sorrow. Peace among all people remains the world's most important unfinished business. It is imperative that all our students, faculty and staff - especially from other countries - feel confident of their personal security in what must be a civil environment.

Finally, whatever your faith, please join me in praying for the families and friends of the untold victims of today's attacks, our national leaders and for the people of the United States.

James J. Stukel
President, University of Illinois

I am finishing the details for our Annual Fall Wrap Up and MG Graduation on Wednesday, December 5. You will receive an invitation shortly. Our guest speaker is Extension Specialist and State MG Coordinator, Dennis Schrock.

By now you know the great news. We have filled the Horticulture Assistant position. Leslee Kenefake joined our staff on Monday September 24 – a very happy day for me indeed! As the year progresses, we will identify projects for her to focus on and keep you posted on any new developments.

Millennium Clock Garden - If you haven't seen it recently, stop by and look. It's been replanted for fall and it is beautiful! The crew did a terrific job. In fact, they were so organized and energetic, they accomplished the entire task much faster than anticipated. Thanks go to Warren Senneke, Nancy Stepanski, Linda Marvil, George McCoy, Jennifer McKeown and Ambi Pellegrini, with special thanks to Carol Strelecky and Warren for planning and design.

Ferris Wheel Garden - Speaking of beautiful, knock'em out gardens, the Ferris Wheel Garden at the DuPage County Fairgrounds has really grown, filled in and is magnificent. Our MG team has worked hard at this and it really shows.

Radio - Don't forget to tune in to our "very own radio show" Green Side Up, with Susan Grupp and Jim Schuster every Thursday evening, 6:10pm, to hear the latest gardening tips for the season. They just completed their 11th year at this! 90.9FM WDCB.

Naperville Farmers Market - We have been busy at this great market, talking with many people and handing out many Extension bulletins – over 1,000 already. A very special thanks to Dee Rushing for coordinating this effort.

Plant a Row for the Hungry - Thank you for making so many donations of fresh vegetables and fruit to our area food pantries. We have received several thank you letters. It's gratifying to know that all those nutritional home-grown goods are being enjoyed. DuPage County Master Gardeners have contributed over 550 pounds of fresh produce to date.

Summary of Hours - Everyone should have a copy of their training and volunteer summaries. We have tried very hard to be accurate. If there is an error, please call Susan or Leslee right away. We 're getting close to the end of the season, so please check your sheets.

2001 Master Gardener Graduation and Wrap-Up - Be sure to join us for our annual end of season Wrap-up program. Our guest speaker is Dennis Schrock, our State MG Coordinator and Extension Specialist. He will present his latest research on native herbaceous plants for Illinois gardens. Susan will present the volunteer year in review and the updates for the 2002 program.

There is something new in store for 2001. We will celebrate a change of status for our 43 MG Interns as they move from Intern to Certified Master Gardener. During the past year our Interns have worked diligently to complete not only 66 hours of classroom work but 60 hours of volunteer work as well. Join us in recognizing all the outstanding achievements and contributions of DuPage County MG's. Watch the mail for your invitation.
This is the last session of the year (remember, it is required for re-certification).

Tour the Cantigny Greenhouses – (MG Enrichment Class). We have another tour organized just in time for the holiday season. Come and learn about greenhouse production at Cantigny Gardens, on Wednesday, November 14 from 10 am to noon. These state of the art greenhouses will be filled with poinsettias - a truly beautiful sight. Production techniques and poinsettia care will be covered by the staff. This will be an exceptionally interesting tour, as these greenhouses are used for so many different crops. All of the plants displayed at Cantigny, indoors and out, are propagated and grown there.

We have made special arrangements for you to enter the grounds using Cantigny's Shafner Road entrance (see enclosed map). The greenhouse range can be seen from this entrance. Proceed to the parking lot located on the south side of the greenhouses. The building entrance will be marked with an MG sign. This tour will qualify as MG enrichment training.

Reserve your spot by calling our office at 630-653-4114 and registering for the Cantigny Greenhouse Tour. There is no charge for this session

"On Holiday," as they say, we stopped in a beautiful Ontario city, at the toe of Lake Ontario called "Niagara By-The-Lake." It had the most gorgeous, colorful flowers, shrubs and containers I have ever seen! There were fruit groves and vineyards everywhere in the near valley. We toured the Hillebrand Vineyard and learned that this sandy area has a microclimate perfect for grapes. The reason is a large mountainous ridge that holds in the moderating effects of the lake. As we were walking through the rows and rows of wine grapes, I noticed a rose bush at the start of every row. I questioned why the rows were planted that way. The rose bush is in the Rosaceae family and gets the same diseases that affect the grapes, however the interesting part is that it shows up 3 weeks earlier. Basically, the vineyard relies on the rose hip to be like a "forecaster-plant" for their most precious crop. I was so impressed by this fact, that I drank a toast to the rose hip for making my Ice Wine lip-smacking good... and pondered, "Could there be other forecaster-plants?"

- By Ambi Pellegrini

I went to my sister's house for a Make-Over Vacation. Gosh, it was fun! Anyway, she comes running out of her house and says, "I have "crop circles" in my yard. The aliens are here"! Thinking this would be a good time to torment her by agreeing with her, I chose the Master Gardener way and told her the truth. It seems that other inquiring minds have called in wanting to know about the "crop circles" too.

It's summer!! There's lots of heat happening so with heat often comes Summer Patch. The major symptom of summer patch is crescent shaped or circular patches of dead grass often with clumps of green grass inside (called frog's-eye) – you know, "crop circles."

Summer Patch develops on lawns with stress. High temperatures combined with excessive thatch, poor soil conditions, irregular/excessive nitrogen fertility, and my son starting college – oops, that's my stress.

The cure isn't too difficult, though it takes time. Correct the soil conditions and overseed dead areas with recommended grass blends of Kentucky bluegrass or mixes of Kentucky bluegrass, rye and fescue. The best time for seeding in northern Illinois is August -early September. Improving conditions for root growth and reducing problem thatch are critical. Don't mow too short - 2-1/2 to 3 inches – REMEMBER. Also, avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizer in spring. A combination of all of the above should work. However, as far as my make over went – trust no one!

- By Ambi Pellegrini

Labor Day each year seems to signal the end of the summer season and start of fall. The actual first day of fall comes much later in the month of September. A gardener's thoughts turn to the color change of trees in the landscape, planting mums and perhaps the best chore of all, planting spring bulbs. While there are the traditional bulbs, daffodils and tulips, why not venture into some "rare beauties" often times overlooked. The following are a few to consider.

Camassia: Tall spikes with many starry flowers with long, upright sword-like leaves; native to America, it was sometimes used by the Indians as a food crop; tolerates damp meadows and pond edges as well as heavy clay; seems to bloom well in either part sun or full sun; late spring to early summer. Varieties range in color from the blues to a white variety.
Bulb Companions: Allium, Dutch Iris, Glads. Others: Sweet William, Peony, Siberian Iris.

Colchicum: You will see this "rare beauty" in the coming weeks as they make their appearance. Often misnamed 'Autumn Crocus' because of its autumn blooming, cup-like flowers on naked stems; poisonous to critters that may be tempted to eat them; flowers appear in the fall, while foliage which resembles hosta leaves appears in the spring; prefers rich, well-drained soil and partial shade; many are species and variable in their color and growth habit. Blooms mid-late fall; can bloom without being planted in soil.

Bulb companions: Lycoris radiata; Oxalis; Arum italicum: Fall Crocus. Others: Cosmos, Asters, Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Chrysanthemum.
Allium 'Christophii': Lots of loosely formed, starry silvery amethyst flowers compressed to make one large, round spidery head about the size of a softball; spectacular cut flowers and looks amazing coming up through hostas, Bergenia or other groundcovers. Resembles a lit sparkler! 12-20 inchesearly summer, sunny well-drained soil.

Bulb Companions: Dutch Iris, Asiatic Lilies, Camassia. Others: Painted Daisy, Peony, Baptisia, Roses, Sweet William, Hemerocallis.
Allium 'Hair': This unusual allium flower form has a purple heart with long green hairy-thin petals. Foliage is a deep green. This one will make an almost comical statement in the garden. Very whimsical and also a great cut flower. 2-3 feet tall.

Bulb Companions: Those listed with other alliums.
Allium 'Ivory Queen': Blooms up to eight weeks, this allium has feather white baseball sized flowers on 6" stems. An added bonus is the broad leaves (1-1/2 - 2"); blooms in May and can be used en masse as a groundcover.

Arum Italicum: Arrow shaped, lush foliage, often with creamy variegation which emerges in the fall and present in some zones through the winter, followed by spikes of bright red berries that last all through the summer. Incredible three seasons plant, which prefers some shade; 10-12". Bulb Companions: Caladiums, Lycoris, Colchium. Others: Azaleas, Vinca, Hosta, Ferns and Lamium.

Leucojum: Pendulous pure white bells with green tips; moisture tolerant but also grows happily in a non-irrigated border; narrow, strap-shaped leaves. Naturalizes beautifully and blooms mid-late spring. Looks similar to giant lily of the valley but with a green tip. 18-24' Bulb Combinations: Daffodils, Tulips, Muscari, Arum. Others: Azaleas, Tiarella, Lamium.

Martagon Lilies: A Turks cap Lily native to Europe and Asia whose flowers range in color from pinks to purples, oranges and rose colors, but usually with spots. Once established they often produce up to 40 recurved lilies that will dangle on 4-6 foot stems. Adapts to many locations, even partial shade. Very easy to grow in any soil as long as it's well drained. Space 12 feet apart in groups of three for a dramatic burst of color. May need to be staked. Companions: Liatris, Glads, Cannas, Cleome, Cosmos, Coreopsis.

- By Kathy Riley

Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern) - Thin black stems from a creeping rootstock. The vein-like fronds are pale green.

Anemone x hybrids 'Honorine Jobert' (Japanese Anemone) - Large rounded flowers of glistening white on tall upright stems. The low growing dark green leaves are modestly handsome.

Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissma' - A more vigorous anemone, creating large colonies once established. Pink flowers beginning in August.

Aruncus diocus (Goatsbeard) - An excellent leafy background plant of generous proportion. White flowers in June.

Astrantia major (Masterwort) - Elegant and unusual blooms of soft pink, white or red are freely produced above rounded clumps of tidy leaves.

Chelone lyonii (Turtlehead) - Forms a large spreading mass of leafy stems covered in late summer with compact spikes of deep pink flowers. Also a white and purple form.

Cimicifuga racemosa (Bugbane) - Showy tall spikes of creamy-white flowers in July. An easy and reliable perennial. Cimicifuga simplex is another fine later blooming species.

Eupatorium coelestinum (Hardy Ageratum) - A spreading plant, rather nondescript when out of bloom. The fuzzy blue flowers are a welcome sight as the season winds down.

Kirengeshoma palmata (Waxflower) - The maplelike leaves occur in pairs along the tall stems. Bushlike habit. The yellow flowers are borne in late summer.

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) - Narrow stems studded with bright red flowers in August. Needs moist soil. Two others, Lobelia syphlitica - Blue Lobelia and Lobelia x vedrairiensis- Purple Lobelia.

Milium effusum 'Areum' - (Bowle's Golden Grass) A small grass, open growing with bright yellow leaves.

Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki' - (Toadlily) Arching stems are covered with spotted star shaped flowers. Best when planted for close-up viewing.

- By Kathy Riley

September 29 through October 28, Morton Arboretum. Fall Color Festival takes place every weekend and Columbus Day. This is definitely the most beautiful time of year at the Arboretum.

October 6, Garfield Park Conservatory. The Buzz on Bees: an Introduction to the World of Beekeeping. Interactive workshop taught by Michael Thompson and Kim Otto, experienced beekeepers. Specific attention will focus on the history of this ancient craft, fall hive maintenance and information on how to over winter bees during Chicago's winter months. 9:30 am-12:30 pm. $30.

October 6, Cantigny Park. Fall Festival & Craft Show. Harvest-time activities, including fall concert, hayrides, pumpkin decorating and scarecrow making. Also enjoy a car show hosted by The Chicago Corvette Club and other car enthusiasts displaying their automobiles. Park grounds & Visitors Center. 10 am-4pm. No Charge.

October 7 and 14, Garfield Farm Museum. Harvest Days. Continuous demonstrations of historic farm and household skills, 19th century music, storytelling and food. 11 am-4:30 pm. $5/$3.

October 13, Garfield Park Conservatory. Putting the Garden to Bed. 9:30 am-noon. $25.

October 16, Morton Arboretum. Home Bird Feeding. 7-9 pm, $12.

October 21, Wolf Road Prairie, 31st and Wolf Rd. They Were Here First: The Native Americans. 2-4 pm.

October 27, Cantigny Park. Ornamental Grasses Against the Autumn Sky. 9:30 am Visitors Center. $20.

November 7, Cantigny Park. Attracting Birds to Your Garden. 6:30 pm, Visitors Center. $20.

For more information or directions to these locations, call:
Cantigny Park/Gardens, Winfield.
630-668-5161
Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe. 847-835-5440
Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox.
630-584-8485
Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago. 312-746-5100
Morton Arboretum, Lisle.
630-719-2400
Wolf Road Prairie, Westchester.
708-865-8736

- By Deb McCullough

• Occupation: Retired. Formerly Director of Information Systems at Rockwell International
  
• Number of years as a Master Gardener: 7
  
• Personal hero: My wife Patti. She gave me four great children and has had the patience to put up with me all these years.
  
• Favorite annual: Cleome – tall and graceful
  
• Favorite perennial: Daylilies. They are very forgiving and have great variety. The animal kingdom leaves them alone to exhibit their beauty.
  
• Something about me not too many people know: I used to be 6'3" tall.
  
• My most humbling gardening experience: One time I decided to let the grass on the back end of the property go dormant during a serious summer drought believing it would jump back to life in the fall. Wrong! It totally died out on me.
  
• Major gardening accomplishment: My shade garden where once rested my dead, dried out lawn.
  
• Best gardening tip: Compost – compost – compost.
  
• If I am not gardening, you will find me: Reading history or mystery books or looking in the woods for my golf ball.

- By Ann O'Leary

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