… populations after decades of declines due to DDT insecticide use and habitat loss. The osprey is listed as a threatened species in Illinois, which means it’s at risk of disappearing as a …
Type: Blog
… the ground freezes — which in some winters may not be until after Christmas. "Winter kill" is the term horticulturists use for the patches of dried-out foliage often seen on evergreens in … for example, normally drop their oldest needles in late summer. "As long as the newest growth is green," Bell says, "it's okay if you see needles shedding further back on the branch." …
Type: Plant Info
… day, Steffen said. They hunt spiders, earthworms, and beetle larvae under the snow. Winter is a great time to observe a number of bird species at the Garden. Cedar waxwing eating … potentially fierce full-grown squirrels, Steffen said. Instead, the squirrels' chief enemy is the weather. They must huddle against winter storms in the nests, or dreys, they build from … and an observant eye. The signs of life in winter are there to see and hear. Beth Botts is a garden writer and speaker who lives and gardens in Oak Park, Illinois. …
Type: Plant Info
… or do you have to chemically support them? Does your yard buzz with activity in summer, or is the air silent and still? Does your vegetable garden produce bumper crops, or are your … and information here . Feeds a Crowd It makes sense: the nectar and pollen in native plants is highly nutritious to native pollinators. These are the plants and insects that evolved … the gardens that support them, check out this Pollinator Partnership guide . Karen Zaworski is a garden writer and photographer who lives and gardens in Oak Park, Illinois . …
Type: Plant Info
… make excellent screening for privacy, tolerate urban pollution, and can be pruned to suit the site. Large specimens lend a natural, rugged look to a landscape, where tinier species are … highly compressed cones that are often mistakenly called berries. The bark of many species is an attractive, peeling russet color, familiar to many as the red cedar found in furniture or … overhead will be susceptible to the fungal blights that can afflict some species. But there is no question about it. Junipers have suffered from overuse and underimagination. Too often, no …
Type: Plant Info
… can be used as a garnish, but they are sometimes “muddled” and mixed into a drink. Muddling is gently crushing herbs, fruits or spices to release their oils, flavors and fragrance. You can … Gently roll the fresh herbs between your hands to release their oils. A cocktail shaker is a handy tool, but a glass, spoon and strainer work well, too. If you grew herbs this summer, … stirring until mixed. Add the lemon verbena sprig and add cinnamon stick. Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos Park, Illinois. …
Type: Plant Info
… woodland, and wetland ecosystems of the Midwest and beyond. The Seed Bank’s primary goal is preserving native plant species diversity. By collecting seeds from many different wild … in abundance, and reflect the genetic diversity of an entire plant population, seed banking is an efficient and cost-effective way to preserve the diversity of many plant species into the … to determine potential viability, and photographed. The Seed Bank’s Preparation Laboratory is visible from the atrium of Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. …
Type: Research
… 2014 Baker was hired as the first full time curator of bonsai at Chicago Botanic Garden. Baker is the President of the North American Bonsai Federation and a board member of the World Bonsai …
Type: Staff bio
… I dampened them too much) if I cleaned them thoroughly of soil before storing. My solution is to leave soil around the tubers (whatever sticks there) and place them in a paper grocery … There are many ways to store them. “Cardboard or paper that allows air movement/moisture is better than plastic or non-porous containers. I like the cedar bedding sold by pet stores in …
Type: Blog
… sure how the heat- and humidity-loving ghost orchid would hold up in travel. The Garden is one of the few institutions in the world to have ghost orchids; the plant is notoriously difficult to grow outside of its natural habitat in Florida and Cuba. In the … captivated an audience at Chelsea and another one at Kew. And the Orchid Conservation Team is already discussing other potential collaborations. “I am thrilled, honestly, that our ghost …
Type: Blog
