… crack clay pots.) Mint needs at least four hours of sunlight per day, so pick a sunny spot. It is tolerant of most soils and weather conditions—just be sure it gets some water every week to … julep, but it’s also perfect for any mint sauce or jelly. Banana mint (Mentha arvensis) is part of the spearmint family, but grown mostly for its incredible smell. It still maintains a good flavor in cooking, though. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is most often used for its peppermint oil. Peppermint family plants are strong flavored and best …
Type: Blog
… tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus ) has silvery leaves and an anise-like flavor, but basil is the king of herbs, beloved by all. It’s such a crowd-pleaser that we’re giving away Napoletano … fish,” says Tankersley. “Please let there be driftwood available!” Beautiful in bloom, dill is delicious as a fresh herb, or use the seeds as part of a pickle. Dill is also known to help soothe upset stomachs and relieve insomnia. “Although the sound of waves on …
Type: Blog
… on to other projects. One important thing I must mention: technically speaking, this mixture is not truly soil. Soil is the upper layer of material on the Earth that serves as an ideal medium for growing plants. It … and affect other properties of the mixture. The substance we would find on the surface of Mars is called regolith , which is mineral particles that result from weathering of rocks. Since my …
Type: Blog
… Plant Garden Farwell Landscape Garden Graham Bulb Garden, Aquatic Garden Viburnum Walk Liz Rex is the horticulturist for the Crescent, which welcomes visitors entering the Garden from the Visitor Center; and the Esplanade, which is the lawn area where music events such as Dancin' Sprouts and Hot Summer Nights are held. Rex … Plant Garden, which showcases plants native to Illinois, and the Landscape Garden, which is a designed at a smaller scale to be relevant to the typical homeowner. She is also responsible …
Type: Staff bio
… “There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, the folded bud ready for the spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes … they search for insects. They’re hungry after a night of flying many miles. The Chicago area is a part of the Mississippi Flyway—one of the major routes for migratory birds. They can be …
Type: Plant Info
… enthusiasts, we often focus on how plants are affected by their environments. Their growth is affected by weather, water, nutrients, etc. But the plant-environment relationship is a two-way street, and plants can have a strong influence on the habitats they live in. We might experience this by walking in a forest and feeling ground beneath our feet that is spongy from the buildup of slowly decaying leaves that accumulated over decades or centuries. …
Type: Blog
… talks about guiding students away from their electronic devices and into the plant world. It is a pretty spring day. The sun shines through my office window, illuminating the old and worn photo on my desk. With the image is a handwritten note: “1912 photo of Bucknell botany class field trip.” Twenty-nine formally … exhibition. But then I notice something: nearly every one of them—instead of looking up—is looking down. Their attention is on the smartphones in their hands; they appear to be unaware …
Type: Blog
… Sensitive plants such as magnolias will particularly benefit from mulch. A good rule of thumb is to spread the mulch as wide as the reach of the branches. Do not pile it against the trunk, … they need a larger supply throughout the winter than deciduous trees. The second priority is any trees or shrubs planted within the year, followed by plantings of the previous three … plants in past winters, wrap the trunk now to avoid a continued issue. Fall Planting Fall is a season to plant selected varieties of trees and shrubs. They offer both aesthetic and …
Type: Plant Info
… we simply want winter—too often maligned as cold and dreary—to get its due. Perhaps no one is more agreeable to take on the pro-winter debate than Fred Spicer, the Garden’s executive vice … walks, which, he said, “offer completely different impressions of what the winter landscape is like.” McDonald Woods “It’s a magical place any time of year,” Spicer said. “But seeing those big, bare trees is wonderful. They have a winter signature.” Dwarf Conifer Garden “When you need a shot of …
Type: Blog
… If nature is a healing force, Sabryna-Joi King-Bell has felt its power. It happened during a recent Chicago … as simple as potting a plant brought tears to her eyes. “I’m so appreciative because this is such a safe space and I live a life of gratitude,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. … are group-oriented, designed for an array of audiences and ages. The main campus hosts on-site programming for a wide variety of groups. But the outreach programs from the Windy City …
Type: Blog
