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  • … Q. Is it necessary to regularly fertilize my trees and shrubs? If so, how often should it be done? … to be applied. Being familiar with normal plant growth is an important step to determine if the plant will benefit from additional fertilization. A two- to three-inch layer of compost such … and is helpful in resupplying the soil with necessary nutrients. Supplemental fertilization is best applied when plants are in their active growth cycle. The roots of trees and shrubs are able …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … to change your password by following these simple steps (please note that your user name is the email address associated with your account) *Login tip.  The membership is linked to only one … up. Enter the email associated with your account in Both Boxes . You will receive an email to this address. Click on “ Reset my Password ” On the Change Password page that pops up, enter your … to change your password by following these simple steps (please note that your user name is the email address associated with your account) *Login tip.  The membership is linked to only …
    Type: Page
  • … Chinese ground orchid is a terrestrial orchid that grows from flat pseudobulbs that resemble corms. Each pseudobulb … to 18 inches tall. Although it is advertised to be hardy to USDA Zone 5, it is best to mulch the plant to protect it and keep it warm in winter. Grow in part-shade areas in borders, rock … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … Dwarf Hinoki false cypress is an evergreen tree with a dense, pyramidal habit. Growing to only 10 feet at maturity, it has rich green foliage with scalelike overlapping leaves. It is best grown in full sun in moist, well-drained soil and can be used as an accent or specimen plant. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer being updated. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … One of the most delightful and perhaps underused smaller trees is the native American pawpaw ( Asimina triloba ). Large, dangling leaves give the plant a … they relied on pawpaw fruits.” Explorers Lewis and Clark subsisted on pawpaws alone for three days during their explorations. Thomas Jefferson planted the trees at Monticello and … and east to New York, all the way down to Florida and Texas and west to Nebraska. Throughout this area, towns like Paw Paw, Michigan, and many lakes were named after the abundant trees. …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … One of our favorite insects at the Chicago Botanic Garden is the praying mantis. So we were very excited to obtain an egg case  earlier this spring. We decided to keep it indoors so we could watch it hatch, and then release the newly … to know that although it looked like a bad infestation, aphids are not really a big problem for the plants. When they are very abundant, it does not take long for natural predators like …
    Type: Blog
  • … my work invites viewers to slow down and connect with nature, encouraging a deeper curiosity for the subtle wonders all around us. I am continually inspired by nature and science, and working … the intricate beauty and small details in the often overlooked.”   ARTIST BIO  Kristin Field is a textile artist, natural dyer, and gardener based in Chicago. She is currently pursuing her … the intricate beauty and small details in the often overlooked.”   ARTIST BIO  Kristin Field is a textile artist, natural dyer, and gardener based in Chicago. She is currently pursuing her …
    Type: Page
  • … Patterned by Nature – A Better Pattern A Better Pattern is a dynamic collaboration with Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion.   This collaboration celebrates emerging designers who incorporated Garden-sourced materials and textiles into couture-inspired fashion creations. A Better Pattern explores the intersection of pattern, sustainability, and fashion through the lens of garden-inspired … A Better Pattern is a dynamic collaboration with Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion.   This
    Type: Page
  • … Q. The roots of my phalaenopsis orchid are growing over the rim of the pot. Does this mean I need to … the orchid not having been repotted in two to three years The best time to repot an orchid is when it has finished flowering. Choose a plastic pot (which does not dry out as quickly as …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Showy deutzia 'Nancy' features clusters of abundant double white flowers. It is a hybrid developed in the Lemoine nursery in Nancy, France, before 1910. The genus Deutzia consists of medium sized … Botanic Garden's collection includes 20 varieties and more than 300 plants. Archived Copy: This content was captured before February 2022, and is no longer being updated. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant