… First student Divine isn’t at the Chicago Botanic Garden, she’s in her backyard, trying to use her iffy, only-works-when-it-wants-to telescope and peering into the future. Someday, she … rooted in the books she read as a child. Divine has always loved reading and would sometimes get in trouble for it. The books she doesn't want to put down even today are cosmos-related or anything about …
Type: Blog
… had changed. It was the beginning of a journey that took me from Gainesville, Florida, to Washington, D.C., to Japan and finally here to the Chicago Botanic Garden, where I am the curator in charge of the Bonsai Collection , which is known as one of the best of its kind in the world. Shortly after I purchased my first tree, I started learning about … of the Gators) hosted the State Bonsai Convention. That weekend was an eye-opening experience for me, as I got to learn from and assist international bonsai artists like Jim Smith, Colin …
Type: Blog
… In 2001, Plants of Concern was launched through the Chicago Botanic Garden to track the status of rare, threatened, and endangered species in northeast Illinois. A landmark program at the time of its conception, Plants of Concern has remained a model for long-term, collaborative community science and still represents one of the only programs of … we as an agency simply would not be able to collect without this program.” Perhaps the best outcome of the Plants of Concern program is that it has “inspired many volunteers to engage …
Type: Blog
… This summer, when you walk through the Linden Allée, be sure to look UP—and marvel at the incredible trees above you. These 28 GREENSPIRE™ linden trees ( … disease-resistant and low-maintenance trees. Their dense canopy provides ample shade for a hot summer day, and the heart-shaped leaves turn an outstanding gold color in the fall. … hour, he hears over the radio, “The tram is coming!” He moves his giant machine out of the way, allows the tram and visitors to pass, and then at the blazing speed of 2 miles per hour, …
Type: Blog
… with Lawndale Christian Health Center that provides fresh produce and nutrition education to the North Lawndale neighborhood. Childhood Memories I grew up in North Lawndale, and … by people who have lived here a long time–grandmas and grandpas passing knowledge down to children and children’s children. My first job was with Windy City Harvest. It’s a core … know what they need and want, and we work our programming around them. Some participants come for plants, food pick-up, or classes. Many come for community–to socialize, ask questions, share …
Type: Page
… beans can make a mockery of a gardener’s carefully measured beds and neat rows unless they get the support they need. Horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg searched out several practical, good-looking, decently-priced solutions for bringing veggie vininess under control in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden . Forget …
Type: Blog
… removed and discarded, leaves thinly sliced 1 lemon, juiced 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 2 teaspoons honey Fresh ground black pepper 1 mango, diced small (about 1 cup) or … serving bowl, add kale, half of lemon juice, and a drizzle of oil. Massage until kale starts to soften and wilt, 2–3 minutes. Set aside while you make dressing. In a small bowl, whisk … serving bowl, add kale, half of lemon juice, and a drizzle of oil. Massage until kale starts to soften and wilt, 2–3 minutes. Set aside while you make dressing. In a small bowl, whisk …
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… and violets of the dominant fall asters, many of them blooming throughout October. Look for bottle and cream gentians in the Garden’s Dixon Prairie or elsewhere. Buried beneath the riot … Talk about taking your breath away! It seems that a brilliantly colored flower is necessary to attract pollinators to a plant of such short stature that chooses to bloom at a time when its … the closed petals and pollinate the flowers. Smaller bees, which are unable to force their way in, will sometimes cut a slit at the base of the flower and steal nectar. Once, when I was …
Type: Blog
… in the house. A circa-1850 glazed Chinese jar is filled with green Cymbidium orchids native to Asia. And we’re pampering 10,000 other orchids so they’ll be in full flower for Asia in Bloom: The Orchid Show. Lighting crews, horticulturists, and dozens of other staff … dry garden surrounded by rolled bamboo walls: It took three crew members two days to get the rolled bamboo walls just right. The finished walls support moss baskets filled with …
Type: Blog
… What’s not to love about a Shrek-like sprout head? This DIY project connects young kids to plants and the … seeds. In camps and youth classes at the Chicago Botanic Garden, we encourage little ones to get their hands dirty as they explore the natural world. We’ve got lots of ideas for projects you can do at home to get kids thinking about plants and how they grow. Here’s how …
Type: Blog
