… What comes to mind when conceptualizing a new garden design? Color? Absolutely. Soil and sun conditions? That’s a given. Texture? Sure thing. Two other components of plant selection that are of utmost importance are adding biodiversity and sustainability. Both of these elements are omnipresent in gravel gardens. The origins of … in Essex, EngIand, via Beth Chatto, Cassian Schmidt at the Hermannshof Garden in Germany, and Roy Diblik of Northwind Farm in Wisconsin. I was introduced to gravel gardens while I lived …
Type: Blog
… Raue is the Plant Production department's nursery supervisor. Many of the Garden's more unique and difficult-to-source plants are grown in the nursery. Raue started working at the Garden in … as a horticulturist for the Farwell Landscape Garden, Native Plant Garden, Graham Bulb Garden, and Aquatic Garden. She transferred to Plant Production as a grower for indoor floriculture in 1996 and then to the nursery as a grower in 2001. Raue was promoted to nursery supervisor in 2002. …
Type: Staff bio
… as we are, you might like to try forcing branches to bloom indoors. Spring-flowering trees and shrubs form their flower buds in late summer or fall before the plants go dormant for the … sooner they will open. Prune branches for forcing carefully, using proper pruning techniques , and cutting off only those branches that are not essential to the plant’s basic shape. On a day … branches at least 1 foot long that have plenty of flower buds. Flower buds are usually larger and more plump than leaf buds. If you are pruning branches just for forcing, try to choose …
Type: Blog
… cut flower for floral design is easy, with a few tricks to preserve the health of your plants and flowers. Peonies are the queen of the garden during their blooming season. From late spring through early summer, there is a beautiful abundance of color and shapes blooming, depending on the variety. Finding a variety that is also fragrant adds to the reward of growing this exquisite flower. Storing peony stems allows you to use early and mid-season blossoms together in an arrangement. Here are few tips to extend the bloom of …
Type: Blog
… high-quality plants for display in the Greenhouses, Krehbiel Gallery, Garden View Café, and Orchid Show. She also produces plants that are used in Garden programs such as classes, field trips, horticultural therapy, and Camp CBG. Pillar has been with the Garden since 2017, when she started as an intern in Plant Production. She has since worked as a seasonal and assistant grower within the department before being promoted to her current position in 2020. …
Type: Staff bio
… years ago, English poet William Wordsworth came upon the happy sight of daffodils in spring—and was inspired to write one of the most beloved nature poems in the English language. The poem, … under the crabapple trees in the Graham Bulb Garden, masses of large-cupped daffodils are on and around the meadow on Evening Island, etc. Yep, he keeps those kinds of notes. In this traditional season of hope and renewal—and especially in April, National Poetry Month—Wordsworth’s poem reminds us that …
Type: Blog
… Now that most of the trees have dropped their leaves, the scenery appears brown and boring UNLESS you know what to look for. I’m talking about tree bark. Learning to identify … chains. What do you see? Hackberry bark, north side Hackberry trees are related to elms and they grow all over North America. We have a few of them on the east side of Parking Lot 4. … reason for the popularity of this tree is that the fruits—hackberries—feed birds, squirrels, and other woodland creatures. In the summer, caterpillars of mourning cloak, question mark, and …
Type: Blog
… of us had ever tasted before: powdered orchid roots. A traditional winter drink in the cafés and restaurants of Turkey, salep is made from the tuberous roots of orchids—specifically, terrestrial orchids in the genus Orchis . Dried and powdered, the resulting flour is combined in a drink mix with other ingredients, much as hot chocolate or chai spices would be: sugar, cornstarch, powdered milk, cinnamon, and vanillin (the main flavor component in vanilla) are added. A warm cup of salep is perfect on …
Type: Blog
… orchids in this genus are among the easiest to grow. These orchids do well in low light and don’t need much fertilization; give them a bit of food once a week from April to October. Phalaenopsis orchids don’t need much water so go easy on the hydration. And stay away from a common misconception about care: do not use an ice cube to water these … plants. Dendrobium These orchids can be a bit tricky to grow. Dendrobium orchids loves heat and humidity, but also ventilation. They like bright sun, but not direct sun. In summer, you can …
Type: Blog
… Think you can tell the difference between an orchid and a praying mantis? Or an orchid and a sugar flower? Here are six fun facts on Orchidaceae—one of the largest, most diverse, and … An edible orchid in an ice sphere adorns a cocktail from chef Daniel Boulud, marthastewart.com File this under “orchids are clever” Researchers have discovered that a bog orchid ( …
Type: Blog
