… a step-by-step guide to creating a one-of-a-kind terrarium filled with your favorite plants and personal touches. Let’s build the layers (from the bottom up) First, select a container … 1/4- to 1/2-inch activated charcoal (available at an aquarium store) to help filter the air and water and keep the terrarium fresh, especially if it’s a closed terrarium. 4. Use a clean, …
Type: Blog
… with Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation, to see what’s in bloom and take in the different climates visitors can enjoy. In the Arid Greenhouse, we saw a number of species of aloe from South Africa just coming into bloom as well as cacti and succulents. In the Tropical Greenhouse, we were surrounded by palms and cycads while we admired the many orchids in bloom. Tankersley pointed out the acanthus …
Type: Blog
… Thanksgiving is here again, and we at the Chicago Botanic Garden are thankful for all the pollinators who make our food possible, every day, around the world. Bats, bees, butterflies, birds, and more pollinate plants that create one-third of the food we eat. Download the PDF (11″x17″) of this placemat. As you enjoy a meal with friends and family, take a moment to say thanks for the little things that make such a big …
Type: Blog
… away. As my thoughts eventually turned to a memorial or tribute, I remembered Leora’s words, and asked her to walk me through the process of book dedication. Turns out there are three … group you’ll find on the shelf. Topics are garden-related, of course, but very diverse—and if you don’t see the topic you’re looking for, the staff will work with you to find the right book. Ask a librarian to share the list of current selections, and page through the books you’re interested in. Choose a title, then fill out a book dedication …
Type: Blog
… butterfly (Danaus plexippus) . Milkweeds are the only plants on which monarchs lay their eggs, and its caterpillars, also called larvae, eat milkweed leaves to grow. But these plants have … including blooms that are amazingly complex. Milkweeds are found mostly in open prairies and savannas and are known to most by their fruits, which are pod-like structures (follicles) that split open …
Type: Blog
… with your plants to understand them better? In this activity, you will confuse a bean sprout and train it to grow in any direction you want. Sound like fun? You will need: a gallon-size … doesn’t fit exactly, fold the edge of the paper towel. Put a staple in the middle of the bag, and place the bean just over the staple. Add two staples that are separated by more than the … give enough room for the bean to grow between the staples. Watch to see how the bean grows and needs the space. Add just enough water to the bag to wet the paper towel. Take care not to …
Type: Blog
… Lorin Fox is the grower for the woody plants, perennials, and aquatics in the Plant Production department. His job is to produce high-quality plants for the Garden's plant collection and special displays. Fox has worked at the Garden since 2005, when he began work as a Plant … in gardening as a child, when his family had a vegetable garden, a couple of crabapple trees, and a grapevine. He moved on to working in a friend's garden and greenhouse, and has been …
Type: Staff bio
… own way”. Rabinowitz (1981) showed that all common species had wide ranges, large population and broad habitat tolerance, while rare species could have any combination of these traits, but not all three. What is interesting is the range, population size and habitat preference all have important consequences for gene flow and population structure. I am interested in the population genetics of rare species, and what …
Type: Staff bio
… one choose? The three most commonly encountered groups of Christmas trees are firs, pines, and spruces. Siberian fir ( Abies sibirica ) Fir ( Abies sp.) The most common firs available are Canaan fir, noble fir, and balsam fir. All make terrific trees with a classic piney fragrance. They feature dark green needles (often with silver undersides) and are known for their rounded needles, which minimize injuries. They’re among the longest-lived …
Type: Blog
… secret to making it romantic is a personal touch—something that both reflects your personality and makes the evening more fun. It could be a picnic blanket with a story. It could be real … please— read why here) , edible flowers can make even the simplest dish taste more interesting and look decidedly more romantic: Edible Flowers Violas or pansies come in beautiful and dramatic colors (including near-black), and are shaped like little hearts. Their flavor is …
Type: Blog
