… gardeners consider hostas quite similar to daylilies — absolutely fail-safe plants. Stick them in the ground, give them a little water, and they're on their own. In fact, they grow so fast and multiply so freely that, in a few years, you'll be splitting them apart and giving them away to friends. Hostas have …
Type: Plant Info
… prairie, woodlands—that have been changed over time by human activities like landscaping. In urban environments like the Chicago area, landscaping with invasive plants has contributed to … the landscape. Some invasive species were, or still are, popular ornamental plants used in landscaping. Because plants form the base of our food web, these invasives potentially can … out not only native plants, but the animals that rely upon them. Much of the restoration work in our area focuses on getting rid of these invaders so that we are not left with a monoculture. …
Type: Plant Info
… Who Changed the Plant World George Washington Carver 1864 – 1943 Born into slavery in Missouri around 1864, George Washington Carver became Iowa State University’s first Black student, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural science. He then became a professor at Tuskegee University in Alabama. His research found that southern soil was depleted of nitrogen due to too many cotton …
Type: Blog
… and with some careful plant selection your winter garden can be a very colorful place indeed. In winter, almost any color is welcome, but remember that these plants will be in the garden in summer, too, and must blend in with that summer garden's foliage and flowers. Colors of …
Type: Plant Info
… over a period of several weeks. You can also see what a blooming comet orchid looks like in the Tropical Greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden —but the rotation is so slow that you won’t be able to see the buds move in real time. We’ll have two comet orchids on display until the end of October or so; they should be in full bloom around the end of September. Why twist? As buds start to form, the comet orchid …
Type: Blog
… for a little more than $10 each from the Dutch originator. Hippeastrum used to be included in the genus Amaryllis until the 1930s. It seems Linneaus gave the name to a bulbous plant, but later, taxonomists could not figure out if the specimen he named originated in South Africa or South America. Because the argument could not be resolved scientifically, the … to plants from South Africa and used the name Hippeastrum for the species originating in South America. Whether called Hippeastrum or Amaryllis (now used only as a common name), these …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Ever been to Norway in the winter? It is bone-chilling cold and dark...and everyone is outside, even when … outside a part of your daily routine. Drink your morning coffee outside. Spend time every day in a nearby park or your garden or porch. Breathe in the crisp air and reshape the way you think of winter. Learn more The Chicago Botanic Garden …
Type: Blog
… Botanic Garden design manager Wendy Griffiths was inspired by her visit to a textile factory in Jaipur. She knew she needed a font that reflected the beauty and tradition of Indian artistry … Wendy chose is from The Typecraft Initiative, a nonprofit organization founded by Ishan Khosla in 2012. After spending 13 years in the United States, Khosla returned to India and noticed something surprising: graphic design …
Type: Blog
… When our daughter was growing up, we wanted to teach her about the cycles of nature and, in the process, maybe sneak some science in there. This naturally led to the reasons the seasons occur in terms of planetary motions, and this led to discussions of the solstice and equinox. Over the …
Type: Blog
… produces 3 to 5 linear, sword-shaped, pale green leaves. Small, pinkish-purple flowers develop in racemes from March through June on long thin stalks growing 12 to 18 inches tall. Although it … to be hardy to USDA Zone 5, it is best to mulch the plant to protect it and keep it warm in winter. Grow in part-shade areas in borders, rock gardens, or containers. The orchid family consists of a …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
