Posts Tagged ‘spring’

Crocuses in bloom on Evening Island

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Come see the crocuses in bloom throughout many of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s 24 display gardens. The crocuses in the lawn on Evening Island are particularly spectacular right now.

View the video on YouTube here.

Working Wet Soils Can Ruin Soil Structure

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Nancy Clifton explains the importance of soil structure as you get ready to plant this spring.

View the video on YouTube here.

Starting Seeds Indoors to Get Ready for Spring

Friday, March 26th, 2010

The Garden’s production staff and volunteers are busy making sure the spring annuals and vegetables are ready to be planted in the display gardens in the next couple weeks. Tim Pollak in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Production Greenhouses shows us what they’re up to and how we can grow cool season vegetables at home to get ready for spring in our own gardens.

View the video on YouTube here.

A Preview of A Bloomin’ Festival

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Jill Selinger give us tips for shopping at A Bloomin’ Festival coming to the Chicago Botanic Garden May 14-16, 2010. This year, you can shop not only for a wide variety of the best plants to grow in the Chicago area, but also fresh food, baked goods and garden tools while listening to live music!

View the video on YouTube here.

Spring and Summer Camps at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Chicago Botanic Garden camp instructor Aimee Frank discusses the fun and adventures kids experience during Spring Break Camp and Camp CBG. During Spring Break Camp (March 29-April 2) children ages 5-8 discover bulbs, look for birds and other wildlife, and learn about all aspects of nature at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Starting in mid-June, children start Camp CBG which provides exciting outdoor learning opportunities for kids ages 2-15.

View the video on YouTube here.

Earliest Signs of Spring at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Boyce Tankersley tells us about the earliest blooming plants at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Watch for interesting facts about witch hazel and snowdrops and see other early bloomers like winter aconite and lenten rose. Come see them this weekend!

View the video on YouTube here.

Potting Parties at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The horticulturists at the Chicago Botanic Garden are leading some of the potting parties at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier this week. Cost is $20 and includes a pot and five plants that will make for a wonderful spring display. For more information, visit www.chicagoflower.com.

View the video on YouTube here.

The First Signs of Spring: Witch Hazels in Bloom

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Witch hazel

Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena' in bloom in the Dwarf Conifer Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden is showing the first signs of spring this week with the witch hazels coming into bloom. While these shrubs can be showy in three seasons, certainly their fragrant flowers that bloom at unusual times are of primary interest. They can be the latest (October) or earliest (February to March) shrubs to bloom, with their blossoms emerging while the brown seed capsules from the previous year are still attached to the branches. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ has flowers in an unusual blend of red, yellow and orange. Most other witch hazels have yellow blooms. Come out and enjoy this first sign of spring at the Garden!

Anticipating the 2010 Antiques & Garden Fair

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Donna LaPietra, one of the co-producers of the 2010 Antiques & Garden Fair, tells us about plans for the Fair on April 16-18, 2010. She talked to Alessandra Branca, honorary co-chair of the Fair and Preview, about what she’s bringing to the show, her new book and her lecture on Friday, April 16.

View the video on YouTube here.