… run by Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. Flower timing is critical for many reasons. For the earliest of the spring bloomers, earlier flowering provides first access to important … there better reproductive times to flower over others? It’s an important question to explore for the health of wildflowers and their pollinators. Beyond their subtle beauty and symbol for …
Type: Blog
… The clock was ticking—a little girl was seriously ill—when I got the call for help. A Denver hospital needed living tissue from Thujopsis dolabrata or any of its … Jewish Health. After I got the call, I looked into the hospital, which is known worldwide for treating patients with respiratory, immune, and related disorders. In the girl’s case, the … , a rare evergreen shrub that is native to Japan. A hospital official began the search for the plant with a colleague of mine at the Denver Botanic Gardens. My colleague met the girl’s …
Type: Blog
… Restoration seed mixes are raw materials for restoration. They represent a source of potential biodiversity for restored plant communities. They are carefully designed by restoration practitioners, but … understand seed mix design and establishment, and help in designing effective seed mixes for restoration. (Barak, Havens, and outside collaborators). …
Type: Research
… benefit is the delicate fragrance that most tall bearded iris possess. Bearded irises do best in full sun, well drained soils in Chicago area landscapes. Typically a planting will need … enough fresh soil to support the heavy flower production. Iris borers can be a challenge for some gardeners and if present please consult your local nurseryman or call the Plant Information Desk at Chicago Botanic Garden for the latest in recommended control measures. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to study "phenology," or the life-cycle events of plants. Wildflower phenology events , for example, are fairly simple: first flower, full flower, first fruit, and full fruiting. … to notice this kind of changing nature around us and record the information to a database for scientists to review. As director of Budburst, I'm excited to hear about your observations on … trees ( Liquidambar styraciflua ) underneath my window at the Regenstein Learning Campus, for instance. I can’t wait to see the beautiful shades of yellow or orange or…well, you just …
Type: Blog
… out there was going to be a model railroad out there. Then one of the secretaries, who worked for a vice president, found out that I had been into model railroads all my life. So one day, the … It sounds like you were a busy kid. A. My family had 2.5 acres that we farmed in World War II for vegetables. I sold vegetables in the neighborhood in my little wagon. Then I was in the Boy … and I became a photographer. Q. What keeps you motivated after all these years? A. My passion for the railroad is what drives me—I absolutely love this railroad. The same passion goes for …
Type: Blog
… There are many definitions for the word “zen.” It’s been described as “a state of calm attentiveness in which one's actions … nature and timelessness. Large rocks are partially buried, appearing as if they have been in place forever. The short bloom period of flowering shrubs, perennials and ornamental trees … mean you can meditate in your own outdoor space, whether it’s a garden, balcony or deck. Or, visit the Garden and enjoy a little relaxation and meditation on a quiet bench. Pick a spot and …
Type: Plant Info
… Tour the Fruit & Vegetable Garden Go Organic Download the GardenGuide App when you visit to use this tour on your phone Distance: .35 miles Time: 40-50 mins Stop 1: Build Healthy … you to do something unusual: take a good look at the soil. Healthy soil is THE #1 ingredient for growing tasty vegetables. We've worked hard here to improve our heavy, clay soil. No digging, … 7,000 apple varieties were documented in America. Today there are fewer than 100. We grow 26 varieties on the Fruit & Vegetable Island. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, apples: whenever you …
Type: Page
… have mandibles, but they not as impressive as those of the males. The large mandibles are used for territorial defense and also to protect the beetles from any birds or other animals that … and so on. These mites do neither the beetles nor the grubs any harm; they are just along for the ride and probably snacking on any choice fecal pellets deposited by the beetles. If you …
Type: Blog
… Corporate Roundtable on Sustainability The Chicago Botanic Garden serves as a nexus for companies seeking to broaden their environmental leadership and corporate social … company increased its employee commitment to sustainability worldwide and measures it set in place against specific long-term goals. Participants discuss their aspirations, share best practices, exchange ideas, and support each other's goals and challenges. Corporations …
Type: Page
