… Words in Bloom: A Year of Haiku program, I learned that the world of haiku is an expansive one with many forms. Designed to be “one breath” poems with a focus on nature, haiku has the power to strike an emotional chord. …
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… by sowing seeds, making cuttings, layering, or dividing roots. Taking leaf or stem cuttings is one of the most common propagation methods for houseplants. Some houseplants, such as pothos or … root in water, Thomas said plants root more easily in potting mix. In a 2- to 3-inch pot, mix one part peat potting mix and one part perlite. “Straight potting mix holds a lot of water. Perlite increases the drainage so …
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… it as “the ugliest orchid in the world.” The not-so-pretty Gastrodia agnicellus orchid is just one of the new discoveries and developments I’ve tracked recently, as curator of the Chicago … of branches, he had come across a crested fringed orchid (Platanthera cristata) , which no one had seen in the state for nearly 20 years. It’s always a feel-good story to learn that a … difficult to grow outside its natural environment in Florida and Cuba. The Garden is one of the few institutions in the world to cultivate Dendrophylax lindenii , known for its …
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… applications to be used on and around the crop, including in areas where milkweed—the one plant that monarch caterpillars need—used to grow. These “Roundup ready” crops have been … it is a cause in which everyone can take part. Homeowners and farmers can plant milkweed to support monarch caterpillars, and native flowers to provide nectar for adult butterflies, and … across much of the monarch’s breeding range. Aldo Leopold wrote in A Sand County Almanac , “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” …
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… Welcome to winter, one of the best seasons for gardeners. You have time to plan, prune, and enjoy those houseplants … better see a tree’s branching structure and there is less chance of transmitting diseases from one plant to another. Winter is the perfect time to prune deciduous trees or remove nuisance …
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… 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 most beloved of all plant families. An edible orchid in an ice sphere adorns a cocktail from chef Daniel Boulud, marthastewart.com Why, yes, that's an orchid in my cocktail Noted French chef Daniel Boulud paired with a … coronatus ) attracts orchid pollinators such as bees—and then eats them. Gift a loved one with a really special orchid. (Your name here) orchid A Virginia orchid grower will register …
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… to identify trees by their bark can be a fun winter challenge. For starters, I’d like to share one of my favorites: the hackberry, Celtis occidentalis . Hackberry may not be in the top ten … along the trail near Parking Lot 4. The large tree to the left of the bridge is a hackberry. One reason for the popularity of this tree is that the fruits—hackberries—feed birds, squirrels, …
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… I love coming home to my quiet, tree-lined Chicago neighborhood, but one thing I miss about urban living is ample outdoor space. The back door of my apartment leads … Herbs don’t mind being planted in close quarters, says Hilgenberg. You can plant several in one container. An exception, however, is basil: “For healthy basil production, always put one plant per pot in 12-inch containers.” Harvest herbs before they flower: “Right before plants …
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… the Garden. Or did you say cow slobbers? Whatever you call it, Tradescantia ohiensis is just one of the prairie plants that has a unique story to tell. Tradescantia ohiensis , better known … plants with flowers that open for a day or less and then deliquesce (liquefy). If you pinch one of the blue petals between your fingers, you will reduce it to a wet purple stain. … were avid plant collectors, and the son made several collecting trips to North America. On one of those trips, he collected Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) , a related …
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… or Alchemilla mollis ‘Thriller’ and suddenly wonder, “What should my costume be this year?” One perennial in particular has a designation so dark, it can conjure up a gruesome ghost story: … in Black’. Image courtesy Northcreek Nursery Symphyotrichum lateriflorum ‘Lady in Black’ was one of only seven asters to receive a five-star rating of excellence by Richard Hawke, plant … The straight species, S. lateriflorum , was also among the seven, so you can see that this is one of the best asters for your garden. The foliage of ‘Lady in Black’ is an almost black-purple …
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