… The night Spike blooms will thrill us all in the semi-tropical greenhouse, with its breathtaking … heart is full of unwashed socks, your soul is full of gunk, Mr. Grinch. The three words that best describe you are as follows— and I quote: stink, stank, stunk!” —Dr. Seuss “Titan Tim” … Pollak here once again, with an update on Spike, our still-growing titan arum. Spike continues to get bigger, not only in height, but also in girth! What we’re really curious about, however, …
Type: Blog
… anyone, but for a lover of trees, it can also turn into an exhilarating moment of truth. With the air crystalline cold and the winter sun rocketing off the white of the snow, all plants are … the chalky white or cinnamon bark, often peeling, or "shingling," and calls attention to the dangling male flowers known as catkins. Spring is signaled by the limey-green new foliage, … for all seasons. Betula nigra is the most southerly of all birches but still is one of the best choices as a landscape tree for our area. Able to withstand variations in soil moisture and …
Type: Plant Info
… large black and yellow flying insects that look like wasps flying around our yard. They seem to be entering areas with piles of dirt along our walkway. What are they and how do we get rid of them? A.The large wasps you’re seeing are called cicada killer wasps ( Sphecius speciosus ). They are …
Type: Plant Info
… For those who cherish their time in the garden, the thought of puttering in front of a windowsill brings little comfort. There is a … in summer they become seasonal bedding plants. They're not new plants, but are used in a new way. They may be planted directly into the ground alongside other annuals and perennials, or they … uses houseplants in its three-season rotation of annuals. And many gardening centers, quick to pick up on trends set by prominent garden designers, offer these houseplants in their …
Type: Plant Info
… Fred Spicer Executive Vice President and Director As executive vice president and director of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Spicer stewards a living collection within the context of designed … on integrating new elements within an established design style and vocabulary. Before coming to the Garden, Spicer was the executive director and CEO of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Alabama. Spicer led the transition of a largely city-directed public garden to a highly …
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… pest-resistant. As ground covers, some can be used in place of turf grass, which is difficult to grow in shade. Others, like ferns, complement nonnative perennials in shady beds, borders, and … naturalistic designs. While there are many attractive shade-tolerant plants that are native to the Midwest, some, such as Virginia bluebells, emerge in spring only to bloom and then disappear … shade tolerant and provides much-needed late-summer blooms that last into fall. It grows best when planted in rich, organic soil. Although it will grow in full sun, turtlehead does well …
Type: Plant Info
… Saturday, February 14 through Sunday, April 19, 2015 Regenstein Center, Lenhardt Library The intense beauty and exotic shapes of orchids fascinated Victorian explorers and inspired … 14, through Sunday, April 19, 2015. The nineteenth-century passion for orchids is evident in the vibrant hand-colored engravings and lithographs that served as the scientific record of … month-long event filling the Regenstein Center with colorful, fragrant blooms from February 14 to March 15. The display is part of the library’s collection of more than 600 orchid books, …
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… Life Through Día de los Muertos Honrando la vida en el Día de los Muertos I grew up in the city seeing the Day of the Dead holiday come to life with ornamented school patios, plazas, and cultural centers. I loved sitting around the … face of mortality, joy and laughter endure. Now, I see this celebration as a loud and majestic way of expressing ourselves. I experience it as a symbol of community, a unifying, conciliatory …
Type: Blog
… While few of us who garden in the Midwest look forward to cold weather, we do welcome the autumn palette, especially when it announces itself gradually, … and dark autumn. A thorough reading of the Plant Evaluation Notes will help you select the best plant for your needs — and isn’t that what we gardeners all want? Greek anemone ‘Blue …
Type: Plant Info
… Helen and Richard Thomas English Walled Garden Horticulturist: Heather Sherwood What’s behind the design: When I begin my designs, I like to daydream or brainstorm about the plants, the space, and the overall atmosphere I want to … with a different texture, to create a harmonious look with the surrounding areas. Cleome, used in the checkerboard, is often featured in English gardens. The center of the formal (daisy) …
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