… days with a liquid 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 mix. The fertilizer is necessary to replenish the bulb for a new season’s flower display. In fall, before the Chicago area’s average frost date of October 15, bring the bulb inside for its resting period. If leaves have yellowed, remove them from the bulb. If they are still … the flower stalk begins to grow, thus assuring straight growth. Flowering azaleas will bloom for months in a bright window when provided with even moisture, occasional misting, and quick …
Type: Plant Info
… rare that a plant's cultivar name makes it into everyday conversation—'Peace' comes to mind for roses, or 'Stella d'Oro' for daylilies. But say "'Annabelle'," and everyone knows you're talking about hydrangeas. A … Because size and pruning can be issues ('Limelight' can top out at 8 feet tall), the news in the panicle category is dwarf stature. Think of Little Lime ™ as a mini 'Limelight'. …
Type: Plant Info
… a woodlot. I was traveling between nature preserves in this area of the state collecting seeds for the Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank , so my mind was already tuned in for interesting native flora that might produce a collection for the seed bank. It was impossible … gave me plenty of time to contemplate whether or not to make the collection. Since my first visit to the woodland, I have made several seed collections of many quality native woodland …
Type: Blog
… is anything around them at all. This reminds me, once again, of the mission I have defined for myself as a professor of botany: In order to help them understand and appreciate the nature … down electronic devices and experiencing nature firsthand. “Plant blindness” (an incapacity for many people to recognize the green world around them) has been bemoaned by modern botanists … are institutions like the Chicago Botanic Garden in cities around the world where people can visit, learn about, and come to love real plants. Botanic gardens are thus critical players in …
Type: Blog
… Those are complicated words, but what they mean is that these compounds are being studied for their effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and cancer. Most importantly, they taste great … in trying scallions, purple potatoes, or red peppers while meeting our bright youth, come visit Windy City Harvest at our community markets. Thank you to Conagra Brands Foundation for … http://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/48446.pdf http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/antioxidants-topic-overview http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f1378 …
Type: Blog
… we can also experience negative engineering effects of plants on their environments when we visit natural areas throughout the Chicago region and beyond that have been heavily invaded by … common or European buckthorn ( Rhamnus cathartica ). Buckthorn was brought to the Midwest for ornamental use—it’s great at making hedges—but escaped from human control and is now one of … where it contributes to global climate change and instead locking it away harmlessly for potentially hundreds of years—is one such service. Steffen’s more than two decades of work …
Type: Blog
… says Joan O’Shaughnessy, the Garden’s prairie and river senior ecologist. It’s challenging for her to suggest the “best” time to visit the prairie because it’s constantly changing—every week, every month, there’s something … The Dixon Prairie is a recreated prairie. “The soils and the hydrology are the foundations for the different habitats,” she explained. “These different types of prairies are communities of …
Type: Blog
… ivy cultivars available are not winter-hardy here, 'Thorndale' is particularly recommended for midwestern gardeners. As an outdoor annual container plant, English ivy combines beautifully … in hanging baskets, decorative containers, or window boxes. A few cultivars suitable for pots include 'Brokamp', 'Cascade', 'Ceridwen', 'Domino', 'Irish Lace', and one of the best …
Type: Plant Info
… artistic touch, dotting the garden with statuesque, floral sculpture. Spring bulbs are beloved for their brilliance and promise of renewal. The tulips, daffodils, squill, grape hyacinths, and … learned, good drainage has a positive effect on hardiness and can bump up a plant’s chance for that coveted “reliable return.” Alliums have earned extra points lately due to their wildlife resistance. As members of the onion family (the ornamental, …
Type: Plant Info
… Volunteer Opportunities Thank you for your interest in joining our Volunteer team at the Chicago Botanic Garden! Our new volunteer intake has paused for the season. We will be sending an email to schedule phone interviews sometime after January … they are received. We ask that you please refrain from using our volunteer login, as it is for current volunteers only and not an application. Please note that the Chicago Botanic Garden …
Type: Page
