… 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
… If nature is a healing force, Sabryna-Joi King-Bell has felt its power. It happened during a recent Chicago … from caring for her husband, a veteran. Something as simple as potting a plant brought tears to her eyes. “I’m so appreciative because this is such a safe space and I live a life of … but not facilitated. Plus, the plants themselves inspire connections. “It’s a very organic way for conversation to start flowing, and it’s a low-stress environment already, because you’re …
Type: Blog
… 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
… collection that visitors might not otherwise see, and the exhibitions are among the Garden’s best-loved secrets! Stacy Stoldt, public services manager of the Lenhardt Library, curated the … watercolor paintings of flowers and insects, embroidery patterns, and copper engravings, she is also credited with being the founder of German entomology. At age 13 she began studying the … from the 500 deutsche mark banknote Divorced in 1699, she traveled with her daughter Dorothea to the Dutch Colony of Surinam (now known as Suriname) that same year to continue her …
Type: Blog
… We’ve officially reached planting season, and it is now safe to put in warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs, and vegetables. … and squash. Happy planting! Summer plantings await in the production greenhouses. Get the best performance from your plants with these tips from the Garden’s Plant Information Service: …
Type: Blog
… an unbelievable amount of information about companion planting, but you don’t find much in the way of scientific journals or reviews,” says Tom Tiddens, supervisor of the Garden’s Plant Health Care department. “Companion planting is an interesting technique and organic growers swear by it, but you need to have all-around good horticultural practices, like scouting for pests.” Japanese beetles …
Type: Plant Info
… and love as table sugar. Now that you know where your candy comes from, let’s use some sucrose to make a treat. The common sugar beet, Beta vulgaris (this one is cultivar ‘Bull’s Blood’), is … for the solution are assembled and ready to go. Note: the flavoring pictured here is not the best to use, because it contains alcohol. Use an essential oil for better results. You will … have names that end in “ose”? That is no accident. The suffix “ose” is the conventional way chemists identify a substance is a sugar. Go ahead, share that information at your next party …
Type: Blog
… 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
… Meadow-making has become a captivating trend, often referred to as The New Naturalism, The New American Garden, The New Perennial Movement, Meadowscaping, and the Dutch Wave. All speak to mimicking the look and feel of the prairie, using great drifts of sun-loving perennials that … place that supports bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. In some ways, meadowscaping is like a dreamy, modernistic interpretation of a prairie on steroids. These designed landscapes …
Type: Plant Info
