Here at the Chicago Botanic Garden, we’re trying to make winter a little brighter and a little warmer. In The Greenhouses of the Regenstein Center, visitors can escape to a desert oasis and see aloes in bloom. They can feel the humidity of the tropics in the tropical greenhouse. They can even smell the fragrances of the temperate regions and see some interesting carnivorous plants! Sharon Nejman, Senior Horticulturist, takes us on a tour to show us what’s in bloom in each of the different climates we have recreated. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/inbloom for more information on what’s in bloom at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Though it’s still winter outside, Tim Pollak, Outdoor Floriculturist, and his team in the Production Greenhouses are getting ready for spring on the inside. Tim takes us on a tour of the Production Greenhouses to show us what they are growing for spring this year. All year round, his staff and volunteers work to grow many of the annuals that are later planted in the display gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden. See what it takes to grow all of those plants!
Tom Soulsby tells us some interesting facts about the Victoria waterlily which is in bloom right now in the Heritage Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/bloom for more information about what’s in bloom now. View the video on YouTube here.
We talked to Nancy Giardina, co-chair of the Roadside Flower Sale, about the flower arranging workshops that occur Aug. 31-Sept. 3 before the actual sale on Sept. 10-12. Volunteers can sign up for the workshops and learn how to make beautiful dried flower arrangements and then their creations are sold at the sale. A variety of arrangements are available at the sale from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., September 10-12, 2010. Visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/calendar/roadside.php for more information. View the video on YouTube here.
We learned some interesting things about hummingbirds in this interview with Ecologist Jim Steffen. You’ll find hummingbirds in many of our 24 display gardens and in our three native habitats. You’ll also find many other resident and migratory birds at the Garden because of the diversity of plant life. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/birds for more information on birding at the Chicago Botanic Garden. View the video on YouTube here.
Heather Sherwood, Senior Horticulturist, tells us about the Lycoris squamigera, a hardy member of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), native to China. These bulbs as well as many spring flowering bulbs will be available at the Fall Bulb Festival Oct. 1-3. For more information, visit www.chicagobotanic.org/bulb. View the video on YouTube here.
Jennifer Schwarz Ballard explains how anyone can help scientists track climate change by getting out and observing plants. We want people all around the United States to periodically observe the plants around you and contribute data to Project BudBurst. For more information on Project BudBurst, visit www.BudBurst.org. View the video on YouTube here.
The Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant breeder, Jim Ault, shows you how he hybridizes lilies in his backyard. You can learn more about lilies at the Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society Show on July 10 and 11 at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/plantshows for more information.
Dr. Jim Ault, plant breeder at the Chicago Botanic Garden, explains how he created four new Baptisia hybrids. Dr. Ault selects the most interesting plants from his breeding program and introduces them to the trade through Chicagoland Grows. Visit www.chicagolandgrows.org for more information on these hybrids and other plants Dr. Ault has created.
