… the years in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, we've seen the way people have reacted to the autumn harvest. Lately, the lovely fall colors at the Chicago Botanic Garden have reminded … the great pumpkins—ooohs and ahhhhs and squeals of delight, as folks of all ages decided how best to connect with the fruit: Is it real? Should I touch it? Should I sit on it? Hug it? Photograph it? People even talked to …
Type: Blog
… What is a weed? Essentially, it’s a plant that’s growing where you don’t want it to be. Weeds are … those who forget to wear gloves and goggles while removing it. Like all weeds, buckthorn is best removed when small. Dig the plant up entirely. Not sure if that sapling is a buckthorn? …
Type: Plant Info
… the better. Zinnias fit the bill on all three counts. And more. In fact, they're one of the best flowers that smart gardeners can put to work in their gardens. Zinnias are planted in nearly every one of our 27 display gardens. One … Yellow Flame') Planted in the Enabling Garden, Double Zahara Fire ( Zinnia marylandica ) is part of the series that is powdery mildew-resistant. Zahara™ Coral Rose zinnia ( Zinnia …
Type: Plant Info
… The genus Hibiscus is a large group of flowering plants in the mallow family. The name Hibiscus came from the Greek … “marshmallow.” The sticky root or stem of some plant in the mallow family was used at one time to make marshmallow confections. Some common names for hibiscus plants include hardy hibiscus, … stems back leaving two or three buds, and larger flowers may result. Rose of Sharon grows best in moist, well-drained soil that is amended with compost. Plants prefer full sun to part …
Type: Plant Info
… sustainable agriculture techniques, growing flowers, and providing Lawndale with access to fresh vegetables. Violeta Hernandez Intern Violeta recently graduated from Northeastern … environmental science. She spent a semester abroad in Bali working in agriculture and wanted to expand on that experience in Chicago. She likes working side-by-side with the students and learning about urban agriculture. Carolina Macias Intern Carolina is an intern from the Windy City Harvest program. She is from the Little Village neighborhood and …
Type: Page
… It’s now early fall and that means it’s time for Colchicum ! Colchicum is a group of flowers also known as autumn crocuses, though they’re not related to the true crocus. Seventeen species and varieties of Colchicum grow in the Graham Bulb … cilicum Colchicum blooms are a great way to brighten up the early autumn landscape. They’re best grown in a groundcover or as an underplanting for taller bulbs such as lilies ( Lilium sp. …
Type: Blog
… February is such an exciting month for gardeners—time for the first seeds to get started indoors, and time … old, or questionably stored seeds can test a gardener’s patience and sanity, as even the best-tended pots and plots can’t make nonviable seeds sprout. Seeds don’t live forever (at Seed …
Type: Plant Info
… Although originally native to southern France and the Canary Islands, lavender proved quite hardy and happy growing in … of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with its silvery foliage and tall lavender flowers, this herb is an attractive addition to any perennial bed. Add lavender's characteristic scent that is … many species of lavender, from L. angustifolia , the common lavender that reputedly has the best oils in the industry, to the tender lavenders, L. dentata (French lavender) and L. …
Type: Plant Info
… a bee grabs onto a flower’s anthers and must vibrate at a particular frequency for the flower to release pollen. To evaluate the best habitats for native bees, the Chicago Botanic Garden has collected bees from all around the … than an adult thumb, some are smaller than the width of your pinky nail. The name “Dumbledore” is an Old English term for a bumblebee. Despite what you may expect, bee diversity is most …
Type: Plant Info
… tomatoes, or as romantic as an antique urn laced with roses and baby's breath. Choose a style to make your own! Versatile and Beautiful On decks and rooftops, container plantings bring life, … perennials. A four-season container Rotate seasonal plants into containers to reflect the best of the garden and to extend the growing season. Begin your flowering display the second week … are also very heavy and expensive and should be used only as permanent containers. Terra cotta is a popular, medium-priced material, available in all sizes and therefore a good choice for …
Type: Plant Info
