… A native of the Rocky Mountains, this ornamental specimen can attain heights of 30 to 50 feet. It is a stately, pyramidal-shaped evergreen tree with pale, flat, bluish-green needles. The white … better than any other fir and is resistant to heat and drought. It is one of the best firs for the Midwest. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… as the Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist at the Chicago Botanic Garden. She is responsible for the creation and maintenance of over 2,306 bed plant maps representing 2.6 million plants. … software utilizing a base map in AutoCAD format and Microsoft Access / SQL plant database. This process includes formulating database queries for selecting the beds, symbolizing and …
Type: Staff bio
… One of the top questions we have been getting about Spike the titan arum is “How do you know how much water to give it?” The care and feeding that we have given Spike … growing in our production greenhouses—is very specific! Yes, the cultivation requirements for these plants are strict. Titan arums require well-maintained conditions of high humidity and … the bloom During Spike’s flowering stage, we make sure the soil is evenly moist at all times. This is important to continue flower development and prevent the spathe (the frilly modified …
Type: Blog
… Dutch elm disease is a fatal fungal disorder spread by the elm bark beetle. The fungus can be carried from a … with the roots of a healthy tree, or by contaminated pruning tools. There is no cure for the disease once a tree is infected. Susceptible Plants American elms ( Ulmus americana ) are … preventing the flow of water and nutrients from the soil to the upper canopy of the tree. This manifests itself in the characteristic "flagging" of solitary upper branches, where leaves …
Type: Plant Info
… college class called “The Natural Environment in Winter.” It was January, and we met outdoors for about three hours—regardless of the temperature. I showed up at the first class wearing … [insulated] jeans.” She’ll pull on a tank top and place two long-sleeved tops over it. “One is thermal and tight—the other is a Garden work shirt. Next, my work hoodie and my [insulated] … industry for their clothing,” Johnson said. “Anything designed to work well for the outdoor sports person should work well for the gardener.” He’s not kidding. He likes to hit the ski …
Type: Blog
… Cardinal flower ( Lobelia cardinalis ) is a native perennial considered one of Illinois' Best Plants. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall, cardinal … where it can grow in full sun because the soil is constantly moist. Hummingbirds searching for nectar are especially fond of the cardinal flower's tubular red flowers. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer being updated. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Mixed media Location: Joutras Gallery, Regenstein Center Artist statement: A Summer Journey is an installation that captures fragments of the landscape we inhabit. The work is an attempt to … ecosystem, with healthy soil, abundant flora, and myriads of bees and butterflies. We think of this as a practice of re-finding—reflecting on what was and can be again. Collaborating … there more to the colors we perceive in nature? The scientific process of chromatography—Greek for “color writing”—inspired this artwork. Here, prairie grass, seemingly a single color, reveals …
Type: Page
… with its shorter days and cooler nighttime temperatures, it may be the busiest of months for many gardeners. Vegetable gardeners have their hands full—literally and … Lawn tasks, including seeding and fertilizing, can begin in earnest. September also is a good month to plant many varieties of trees and shrubs. Garden To-Do List Continue to … Consider taking a soil test of your entire yard or specific garden areas if you have not done this before. Understanding the makeup of soil will help you amend it properly to provide the …
Type: Plant Info
… Dark maroon frilly leaves are highlighted by pinkish-red veins on this edible/ornamental kale that thrives during the cooler months of the growing season. Kale prefer moderately rich, well drained soils in full sun for best production. Proof that you can have your ornamentals and eat them too! …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Q. How do I grow roses? A. Select a rose that is cold-hardy for your region. Provide a site with full sunlight (six hours or more), good air circulation, and well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Roses are best planted in the spring, although they can be successfully planted in the fall if done early enough for their …
Type: Plant Info
