… to many gardeners because they have either grown it, eaten it, or admired it as a tiny topiary is the versatile herb, rosemary. Rosmarinus officinalis is an evergreen shrub hardy to zone 6. In its native Mediterranean environment, it can reach 6 … herb’s preferred culture will help gardeners maintain healthy rosemary all year. Rosemary is happiest when grown in a soilless mix, which is a composition of vermiculite, perlite, and …
Type: Plant Info
… Wetlands Invader Ever wonder what that tall plant with a feathery-tufted top is that you see growing along our roadside ditches? It’s called common reed ( Phragmites … can be very densely populated, and has a tenacious rhizome (underground stem) network, it is a threat to native wetland vegetation and ecosystem function because it physically excludes … Looks can be deceiving—the common reed appears innocuous enough; in fact, to the naked eye, it is almost identical to native Phragmites that have been part of the North American landscape for …
Type: Plant Info
… In much of modern life, time is abstract. We measure it through calendars, meetings, project deadlines, and fiscal years. But in a garden, time is embodied. We see it in dormancy and bud swell, in growth and senescence, in leaf drop and … nearly everything we do. Gardeners do not control the seasons; we respond to them. Our work is an act of stewardship more than ownership. We care for plants and spaces, guiding them gently …
Type: Blog
… This is a Caribbean cultivar, Kashee, highly valued in Saint Vincent for cooking. Through genetic, … dissected leaves and large, greenish-yellow fruit the size of a cantaloupe. This fruit is known as breadfruit ( Artocarpus altilis ), named for its sweet bread-like taste when roasted, high starch content, and nutrients. It is considered one of the top priority species for food security. Caribbean variety The story of …
Type: Blog
… actually reduce our carbon footprint. For example, watering and mowing less often generally is more beneficial for grass. Tom Tiddens, plant health care supervisor at the Chicago Botanic … grass. First Things First A beautiful lawn starts with the right environment. Enough sunlight is key, as well as at least 8 inches of good, fertile soil. If you don't know your soil's … to watering your lawn? Many gardeners choose to leave the watering to Mother Nature—if rain is scarce, lawns are just a bit browner. When drought conditions leave lawns thirsty, it is fine …
Type: Plant Info
… Annie Wang, Student Carillonneur: Annie Wang is a rising fourth-year chemistry major at the University of Chicago. She learned about the … a few weeks later! She passed her carillonneur exam at the 2023 Congress at Cohasset and is very excited to perform at her first concerts this summer. Outside of her love of tower bells, … trying new desserts, drawing, and painting. Kevin Chang, Student Carillonneur: Kevin Chang is a Student Carillonist and M.D.-Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of …
Type: Event for Calendar
… important factors to keep in mind when gardening in containers. Using an appropriate container is the first thing to be considered. Fancy containers without drainage holes can be tempting but … with no drainage, see these for instructions on drilling bottom holes. If a container is used that has large drainage holes, soil loss may be a problem. Weed barrier cloth can be cut … successfully be planted in these types of containers. The soil medium used in your containers is extremely important. A good quality potting mix is essential to good growth. Using leftover …
Type: Plant Info
… This poisonous weed is most commonly found in roadside ditches and prairie areas—not in cultivated yards and gardens. … and cause phytophotodermatitis—a breakdown of cells and tissues when the sap on the skin is exposed to sunlight. The resulting rash is a severe chemical burn which takes many weeks to heal and may leave long-lasting scarring. It …
Type: Plant Info
… (and at USDA Zones above 9 outdoors) makes it a popular member of the Orchidaceae family. It is easily recognizable as the classic, fragrant corsage orchid. The cultivar 'Triumph' has been … hybrid (Drumbeat) between the genera Laelia and Cattleya . It blooms from May to June, is temperature tolerant, and does well in partial sun. The soil should be allowed to almost dry … number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… scientist Jeremie Fant’s latest research. Fant, a molecular ecologist and plant genetics guru, is working with other botanic gardens around the world to develop conservation and reintroduction … contain, by banking their seed or using cuttings to propagate them,” said Fant. “But when this is not possible, these plant collections are maintained by continually crossing with other plants to produce new seed. This is akin to animals in zoo collections. Zoos have used genetic information to develop ‘studbooks’ …
Type: Blog
