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  • … and other evergreens providing a calming backdrop. Arborvitae ( Thuja  sp.) are among the best evergreens for bright winter color. Cultivars such as  Thuja occidentalis ‘ Golden Globe’ … blue needles and beautiful brown bark. Others, such as  Pinus virginiana ‘ Wate’s Golden’ turn to a soft yellow hue that lights up the garden. The yellow foliage of this  Thuja occidentalis … view the landscape. Contrasting textures and shapes keep the garden interesting even when snow is minimal. Fresh snow highlights the different textures found throughout the garden.   The Dwarf …
    Type: Blog
  • … a sigh of relief with me. Sigh. We made it. Now that it’s officially patio season, it’s time to get out and enjoy the sun. Which has me wondering…should my houseplants join me outside? Can … now, pots are popping up all along back wooden porches across the city. But if you have little to no outdoor space—like me—it can be a challenge to give your houseplants a much needed breath … until it blows over. Of my plant collection, Sherwood said my spider plant would probably do best outside. She also recommended elephant ears as a new outdoor option. I don’t have room in my …
    Type: Blog
  • … Early summer in the Dwarf Conifer Garden is all about the new growth. Everything is bursting forth with fresh new growth in vivid shades … spring, when radiant yellow new growth bursts forth, bringing a welcome dose of sunshine to the garden. Picea pungens  ‘Spring Ghost’ Pinus contorta  ‘Taylor’s Sunburst’ Pinus cembra … of the deepest green needles in the garden. All of these colors are a seasonal show that is best appreciated before things start to heat up for the summer, so come see them while the colors …
    Type: Blog
  • … even a secluded fountain—at the southern end of the Garden. The Shida Evaluation Garden is the first to use our sustainable soils protocol from the very beginning. As permanent plants establish, we … Garden , the Shida Evaluation Garden allows scientists to study plants to determine which are best suited for midwestern gardens and those in similar climates. Visitors are invited to see … Garden , the Shida Evaluation Garden allows scientists to study plants to determine which are best suited for midwestern gardens and those in similar climates. Visitors are invited to see …
    Type: Page
  • … What is old is new again. The dinosaur of the plant kingdom, a Wollemia pine tree ( Wollemia nobilis … controlled environment of the production greenhouse. In the wild, its relatives are clinging to life on remote sandstone gorges in the Blue Mountains of Australia. “It is probably the most … back 65 million years. The Garden’s specimen is a youthful 8 years old, and is just beginning to show off its unusual characteristics. “In this case, there is such little information in the …
    Type: Blog
  • … at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It’s a great chance for photographers of all abilities to practice shooting after dark. And with a little time and effort, you’ll get some cool pictures … to see what you come up with. Post your photos, #Lightscape, and tag us: @chicagobotanic. Blur is good If you manually focus closer to your lens, distant points of light grow into luminous … will create beautiful light trails and unlock a new realm of possibility. Experimenting is the best way to learn. Start by moving your camera in a continuous path while pressing the shutter. …
    Type: Blog
  • … display on Bird Island prompts questions and reflection from the outset. That reaction is at the heart of the art installation Of Earth and Sky , created by poet Keli Stewart and … celebration that runs through September 25. The words are actually poetry excerpts that aim to evoke the emotional connections we all form with the natural world—through our memories, our … fit. “So much of my own personal story and history is tied to Lawndale in particular, to a site right across from Farm on Ogden,” Stewart said. “My family’s church [was there], my daycare, …
    Type: Blog
  • … Arkansas amsonia is native to Arkansas and Oklahoma and was identified and named in the wild in 1942 by Leslie Hubricht. Its … soft texture and threadlike foliage has helped win its place in cultivation. It is perhaps best known for its golden and persistent fall color that appears to be almost a golden cloud.  … for their performance in our region; Plant Evaluation Notes can be found on the Garden's website. The genus was named for Dr. Charles Amson, an 18th century American colonist. …
    Type: Garden Guide Plant
  • … As we all know, good soils are the key to growing any type of plant well: annuals, perennials, turf, shrubs, and trees. The Chicago … . Amended terra preta soils created long ago still cover 10 percent of the Amazon Basin.  It is important to understand that “slash and char” is different than “slash and burn,” which has … poor soils. This new tool is being trialed and then possibly integrated into our arsenal for best practice soil management. …
    Type: Blog
  • … in camp for the afternoon. Upon finishing their two weeks, LITs will have the option to volunteer with Camp CBG.   Applications will be available in December, interviews will begin … camp manager at Click here to show mail address . The cost of the two-week, full-day program is $440. Excerpts from a letter from an LIT applicant: "I would like to participate in the … the rest of my life, a career in science. I don't know what field, but something gave me the best feeling, like a kid getting his favorite toy, only better. I want to do this because I love …
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