… The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Pollen Bank is a critical tool for advancing our work to prevent plant extinctions, reintroduce species into … Amorphophallus perrieri flower for pollen collection. Photo by Jeremy Foster. Storing pollen is an efficient and effective way to protect the genetic diversity of a plant species, allowing … with pollen on its face and in the pollen sac on its hind leg. Photo by Nick Dorian. What is pollen, and why store it? Pollen is a fine, powdery substance produced by the male part of a …
Type: Research
… Q. How do I care for a Norfolk Island pine? A. Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is commonly grown as a houseplant and is sometimes given as a gift plant during the holidays. This slow-growing tree usually will stay … sunlight. Water sparingly and allow the soil to slightly dry out between watering. If the air is very dry, lightly mist the needles. Fertilize monthly during the spring and summer. Please …
Type: Plant Info
… this time of year. Any tips? A. Buddleja does indeed attract many species of butterflies and is quite a sight in the garden when they are all hovering around the colorful panicles of flowers. It is an easy-to-grow shrub that requires well-drained soil and full sun. While the height can vary, … to the ground and start anew each spring. Because they flower on new wood, thorough pruning is advised. Cultivars are available in flower colors ranging from deepest purple-red to white to …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. I recently noticed many discounted evergreens at local garden centers. Is this a good time of the year to plant them? A. While it is acceptable to plant many deciduous trees and shrubs at this time of the year, it’s not a good … even death because they are unable to take up enough water due to their reduced root mass. It is best to plant evergreens in the spring when they have an entire growing season to become …
Type: Plant Info
… (GCNA). Since then he has played numerous carillon recitals throughout North America. He is currently an active member of the piano program and the Early Music Ensemble at the University … University of Rochester and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Indiana University. Fackenthal is a former member of the GCNA Board of Directors, has served as a juror on the GCNA Examination Committee and is the former co-editor of the GCNA publication Carillon News . …
Type: Event for Calendar
… 'Glauca' is one of several cultivars of noble fir with intensely turquoise-blue needles. It is not a dwarf and can reach 60 feet in height, with a narrow pyramidal form. Noble firs, which … small area from northern California to Oregon, in the Cascade Mountains and coastal ranges. It is valued as a Christmas tree because of its densely set needles and branches, its perfect …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… plant. Its flowers, which are tiny and purplish-red, are produced in April. Fullmoon maple is a relative of the Japanese maple and has performed well in the harsh climate of northern Illinois. It prefers dappled light in average, evenly moist, well- drained soil. This is a beautiful small specimen tree. It is noted for having large shallowly lobed leaves (to 6" across) with coarsely toothed margins. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Sweet flag is a wetland species in the arum family resembling cattails or sweet flag iris, with narrow, … up to three feet tall. The leaves have ridges and the bases have a red tinge. The flower is a curious little yellow-green spike (called a “spadix”). It shoots out at an angle from a stem … have been used in folk medicine. Muskrats are fond of eating the rhizomes. While the species is found in wetlands all over the northern hemisphere, there are different genetic strains, and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Hardy kiwi vine 'Cordifolia' is female, and that's important to know if you want to grow it for the fruit as well as the … September with deliciously sweet, smooth-skinned fruit about the size of a grape. 'Cordifolia' is a New Zealand cultivar whose family is native to Chinese mountains and forests. It's hardy to -35, so you can be confident Chicago …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Mona Lisa™wine shades ( Anemone coronaria 'PAS1863') is commonly called a poppy anemone. Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, this showy, … compared with many other cool cut-flower greenhouse crops such as carnations, this anemone is less labor intensive and doesn't require staking, netting, or disbudding. It is also well-suited to greenhouse or field production. This beautiful plant provides texture and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
