… I make no secret about the fact that fall is my absolute favorite season. Between the pumpkin-spiced treats, falling leaves, warm-toned landscape, and endless fall activities, I simply can’t get enough of the many opportunities that fall brings. Fall also happens to be my favorite season for horticultural therapy. This exciting time of year is when all the off-site therapy gardens are reaping the benefits from their summer of hard work. The fall programs …
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… to find the seedpod hanging below and to the right of the third blossom. Its scientific name is Impatiens capensis , and jewelweed has some interesting features that make it worth getting … You might expect a plant called “touch-me-not” to be toxic or irritating to the skin. This is not the case. The name comes from a little seedpod surprise. When they are ripe, a slight … the forest right now may be a little tricky because there aren’t many flowers remaining. Get to know the leaves—they are oval-shaped with a gently pointed tip, and have slightly toothed …
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… in length, with the tail being about a quarter of the length of the body and head combined. It is by far the largest of the shrews we will see here. They are generally a velvety, dark gray … snow. Imprints in the snow of a screech owl’s wings tell the story of the shrew that didn’t get away. Although short-tailed shrews are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal in their habits, … in a terrarium. I placed an upright log in the enclosure for it to climb up on so I could get a better picture. As I approached with the camera, the shrew spun around to face me and leapt …
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… The Rainwater Glen The shallow, troughlike depression that surrounds the Plant Science Center is called the Rainwater Glen, and it functions like a river’s floodplain. Though beautiful, it is above all practical: designed to hold back stormwater runoff, it allows deep-rooted native … in the Rainwater Glen have reduced the need for irrigation by half, and no potable water is used for irrigation. The Rainwater Glen contributes to improved water quality at the Chicago …
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… Buehler Enabling Garden The Buehler Enabling Garden is a hands-on teaching garden that encourages gardening for people of all ages and abilities. … in home gardens to create enabling gardens for a lifetime of easy, enjoyable gardening. Water is used throughout the garden, in shooting fountains, cascading sheets, and cooling pools. … The Buehler Enabling Garden is a hands-on teaching garden that encourages gardening for people of all ages and abilities. …
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… grown. Here are some tips for growing these beautiful plants in the garden. Selecting a site Pick a sunny spot where, optimally, the plants will receive at least six hours of sunlight. Since dahlias do not like to get their “feet” wet, the area should not accumulate water and should drain well. If the soil is clay-like, it should be amended with leaf mulch, compost, or peat moss. Since dahlias should …
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… are helping experts, like Chicago Botanic Garden scientist Louise Egerton-Warburton, Ph.D. , get a better look at fungi than ever before, and discover vital information. “One of the problems we have with soil science is that you can’t see into it so you really depend on a lot of techniques and methods to work out … such as fully decomposing a leaf. A lot of fungi are needed to keep the system working. “You get 110 yards of fungal material in every teaspoon of soil,” she explained. Aside from breaking …
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… at the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. How do carnivorous plants get their nutrients? The pretty pitcher plant ( Sarracenia leucophylla) , for instance, attracts … How do carnivorous plants attract pollinators and insects to eat at the same time? This is a complex question. Using different odor cues, color cues, and potentially even distance … challenge. Keep in mind, these plants would fail if they were eating their pollinators. Below is an example of a Sarracenia leucophylla flower used to attract its pollinator, compared to its …
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… We see this celebration in action every day at Butterflies & Blooms , where visitors can get an up-close look at my personal favorite fluttering pollinator, butterflies. While it is easy to be swept away by the magnificent beauty of lepidopteran, it is important to recognize their greater role in this turning and churning machine we call earth. …
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… gift counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) if you are 73 or older, but it is not included in your taxable income. Your IRA gift will help sustain the Garden’s vibrant … living collections, groundbreaking plant science research, and education programs. Whether it is helping to protect endangered native plants, inspiring the next generation of environmental … ensures the Garden continues to grow and serve the community year-round. Giving from your IRA is simple. Just contact your IRA custodian and request a direct transfer to the Chicago Botanic …
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