… duplicate at home with one or two small trees? A. Yes, it is. An espalier is an innovative way to soften a brick wall, a trellis or even a chain link fence. If space permits, consider using … into basic Y-shapes that are then extended into a diamond pattern. Early spring is the best time to begin your espalier. First, choose a small 3- to 4-foot whip growing on dwarf …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I would like to attract birds to my garden this winter – any suggestions? A. When attempting to attract birds … to know what species are in your area as well as their food preferences and feeding habits. For example, some birds such as mourning doves are ground feeders while others such as the cardinal (Illinois state bird) visit feeders. Be sure to check local ordinances before feeding birds on the ground; ground …
Type: Plant Info
… for students and youth groups of all ages On Your Own Field Trips allow you and your students to explore the Chicago Botanic Garden at your own pace. Discover nature, science, literature, … Access the public picnic area for lunch. Special Exhibitions Small, chaperoned groups may visit the Model Railroad Garden (early May through October) and Butterflies & Blooms (Memorial … Download these quick field trip activity ideas. Explore the Garden online before your visit. Get our free smartphone app to help you plan. Some students may benefit from reading a social …
Type: Page
… Soon after, the boxes arrive at the Roberti Community House in nearby Waukegan. From grower to giver, this lifeline is set in motion each Wednesday to help feed the neediest families. “Many … added, “being able to rely upon the high-quality produce from the Garden is something we all get excited about.” This year, all produce grown at the Chicago Botanic Garden, which is roughly … “Now that we have this wonderful relationship with the Roberti House, we’re hoping we can plan for more production, too.” Indeed, the need is great. About 130 families facing food insecurity …
Type: Blog
… on Evening Island and, perhaps, in your garden. Over the last few decades, plants once native to midwestern prairies have been welcomed into gardens. But in our front yards, they often don't … from the ones in which they evolved. Prairie plants behave differently in our gardens for a number of reasons, according to the Garden's prairie and river ecologist. Soils and many … then, numerous wetlands have been drained and filled. Oaks were cut for lumber or to make way for roads. Prairie was peeled away and the soil plowed. Then, many of those farms were paved …
Type: Plant Info
… herbaceous and woody plants in comparative trials, ultimately recommending the top performers to gardeners and the horticultural industry. Over 1,200 taxa are currently evaluated in the … Shida Evaluation Garden houses the rose trials in collaboration with the American Rose Trials for Sustainability ® program. The goal of this national program is to identify, through regional … Lamium Issue #24 — An Evaluation Study of Alchemilla Issue #25 — Fall-Blooming Anemones Issue #26 — A Garden Study of Sundrops and Evening Primroses Issue #27 — A Comparative Study of …
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… are moths. Our local butterflies range from the tiny Eastern-tailed blue and gray hairstreak to the giant swallowtail. Butterflies and their offspring (eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalids) are food for many birds, mammals, and insects. They’re an important part of the overall ecological … sunflower (Tithonia) , zinnias, lantana, cosmos, ageratum, and verbena. Some butterflies visit mud puddles, damp soil, overripe fruit, tree sap, and carrion and animal feces to obtain …
Type: Plant Info
… time Spike has begun a bloom cycle. In 2015, the corpse flower ultimately lacked the energy to bloom. In 2018, at nearly 7 feet tall, Spike finally bloomed, smelling like rotting meat or … that recently bloomed, Hope and The Velvet Queen. Blooming is not the end of the life cycle for these plants, which are also known as titan arums. When pollinated, they produce fruit and … 20.125" 17.25 5/22 22.75" 18.5 5/23 25.875" 20.375 5/24 28.25" 21.75 5/25 31.125" 23.75 5/26 34" 24.5 5/27 37" 26.75 5/28 39.625" 27.75 5/29 44" 30.625 5/30 50.25" 34.625 6/1 58.25" …
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… As the weather cools, smart kitchen gardeners search for ways to stretch the growing season, hoping for a few more salads…an extra harvest of kale…or … Hoophouse A hoophouse, either in-ground or attached to a raised bed, is a manageable way to try it. Along the way, you might find that a hoophouse has extra benefits for your garden, …
Type: Plant Info
… Hydrangeas are a coveted late summer bouquet, but the cut flowers never last long—we set out to discover how to get enduring blooms. Hydrangeas we tested, from left to right: smashed stem, Quick Dip, plant … with the smashed stem wilted on Day 3. The hydrangea with only plant food performed the best but began to wilt on Day 7. We learned that we should have asked the Garden’s …
Type: Blog
