… acaule ), a dazzling orchid that has not been seen in Illinois since 1999. That’s right. For a quarter century, conservationists had begun to accept that the species no longer existed … Chicago Botanic Garden’s Plants of Concern rare plant monitoring program, led a team to search for the elusive orchid known for its slipper-shaped blossom. “Grant assembled a dream team, and it couldn’t have been a more …
Type: Blog
… orchid—a star at London’s Chelsea Flower Show and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—was set up for success by an international conservation team. The unexpected call came in mid-February. … to tell people the story of the night-blooming ghost orchid. Stetson University researchers, for instance, re-created the plant’s sweet, fruity scent—which attracts pollinating moths—and … pictures so she could track the bud’s progress. Finally, a few days later, Hutchins got the news that she had been hoping for—the ghost orchid was in bloom. The BBC, The Times of London, …
Type: Blog
… in Italian, Chinese, French, and Thai cuisine, but it is also a fragrant, ornamental plant for gardens and containers. Easy to grow and tasty to eat, basil plants will add color and an … Then remove plastic wrap and place tray in a bright window or under lights. Rotate the tray for even growth. When seedlings have developed two sets of true leaves, transplant them into … there are more than 30 different species of basil and dozens of cultivars, the best ones for growing and cooking are cultivars of Ocimum basilicum . The National Gardening Bureau …
Type: Plant Info
… is bee food: specifically, it provides the carbohydrates that bees need. While searching for and collecting nectar, bees spread pollen from one plant to another. This mutually beneficial … extra honey to survive the winter. It is the surplus honey that beekeepers harvest and bottle for their lucky customers to eat. It is estimated that it takes two million bee visits—back and forth from hive to flower—to produce just one pound of honey! Scrabbling for pollen While nectar provides the carbs in bees’ diets, pollen provides the protein. …
Type: Plant Info
… But, as an educator, I chalk them up as life-long learning experiences. After gardening for more than four decades. I’ve discovered, hey, I’m still learning (and groaning). Because this … in the shopping cart, think carefully about where it’s going and whether there’s enough room for it to spread up and out—and whether your partner, spouse, children or neighbors might … holds moisture. Over time, it can soften the bark and cause it to rot. Don’t try this at home. Visit a volcano in Iceland instead. Know What’s Down There There’s nothing worse than stepping on …
Type: Plant Info
… the floriculturist who had raised Spike from a seed, peeked inside the frilly spathe to check for pollen. “If there had been pollen, it would have been all over my hand,” Still said. Pollen’s … tubes, paintbrushes and a “scoopula” (to collect pollen). At 10 a.m. today, staff gathered for the delicate procedure. Pollak and Still fist bumped…and the operation began. As Still began … and director, explains Spike’s spathe to a young visitor. For more information please visit our titan arum page . …
Type: Blog
… May is the month to look for warblers, vireos, thrushes, sparrows, and some shorebirds, as they migrate through the … the weather report if you want to see these beauties while they are passing through. The good news is that there are a few warblers that actually nest in our area, so if you miss them during … but its song sounds like one. Join me and #birdthepreserves. My top five migration places to visit in the spring are the Chicago Botanic Garden, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary (the magic …
Type: Blog
… Persistence can be a good trait for prairie plants. Take this tale of the return of the Hill’s thistle ( Cirsium hillii ) to the Dixon Prairie at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I’m the assistant ecologist for the natural areas at the Garden. While managing some tall vegetation on the gravel hill of … prefers drier prairies with less competition from taller plants. A number of species of bees visit and pollinate this plant. The plant is believed to be monocarpic, which means the plant …
Type: Blog
… Millennium Seed Bank at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, and to the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado, as backup. In an effort to extend … native species or simply to prolong the life of store-bought or garden-harvested seeds for future use. Read on for some tips to get you started. Steps to Saving Seeds at Home Choosing which type of seeds …
Type: Plant Info
… make-a-floral-centerpiece gathering. One Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving, we did just that for the first time in our office at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Within an hour, each of my work … into their arrangements, such as cut branches, seed pods, berries, or grapevine. Fuel Bonus points if anyone brings wine and snacks to share. Gather supplies You should pick up a few things for the group. Flower holders Provide something to keep flowers in place inside the containers. …
Type: Blog
