… for our gardens? The results of the earlier rain deficit may not be noticeable, but many trees and shrubs were stressed by inconsistent moisture, not only this year but in the last several years. Both drought and extreme wet conditions can have a profound impact on soil health. The two extremes —too dry, … Summer Watering and Gardening with Challenging Weather . More Resources: The National Weather Service The Illinois State Climatologist …
Type: Blog
… Welcome to winter, one of the best seasons for gardeners. You have time to plan, prune, and enjoy those houseplants that don’t get much love during the outdoor growing season. Make the most of your winter gardening with these dos and don’ts from Chicago Botanic Garden experts. DO prune your deciduous trees. From mid-November … it’s much easier to prune because you’ll be able to better see a tree’s branching structure and there is less chance of transmitting diseases from one plant to another. Winter is the …
Type: Blog
… My top pick for cool new plant species? The media has called it grotesque and compared to an eyeless worm. And our friends at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London described it as “the ugliest orchid … the world.” The not-so-pretty Gastrodia agnicellus orchid is just one of the new discoveries and developments I’ve tracked recently, as curator of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Mildred Plant …
Type: Blog
… in fact, has named 2020 “Year of the Lavender,” based on the plant’s texture, scent, beauty, and versatility. It’s a bit tricky to grow lavender in the Midwest . Most of the 28-plus species of lavender are not reliably hardy in the Chicago area because of our cold winters and heavy, wet winter soil. The most common types are English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) … sugar 5½ tsp. water 6½ tsp. rosewater Recipe courtesy of The Spice House, thespicehouse.com …
Type: Blog
… Stand still and close your eyes in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Dixon Prairie on a warm day in August and you’ll likely hear the hum of countless bees and the chirping of crickets and other insects. You may notice the wind rustle the leaves of tall …
Type: Plant Info
… Paul Stamets lecture is filled Mushrooms for People and Planet: Ancient Allies for Modern Maladies that is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2015, 10 … Auditorium, Regenstein Center Paul Stamets, D.Sc. (Hon.), is the founder of Fungi Perfecti and Host Defense Organic Mushrooms $12 nonmember; members receive 20 percent discount …
Type: Event for Calendar
… it is not a garden of Japanese plants. Instead, Midwest-hardy plants are chosen, then pruned and presented in Japanese style. In this garden, each plant stands on its own and every decorative element has meaning: especially the 13 lanterns you may discover throughout … called the Ken, all three islands can be seen at once: Keiunto at right, Seifuto at center, and Horaijima at left. Sansho-en is a garden of the kaiyu-shiki or promenade style, in which the …
Type: Page
… Introducing Project Rainbow Episode 1: Bees Imagine a pollen-dusted bee on a blooming flower—and a scientist explaining exactly what’s happening in kid-friendly terms...in “Maria’s Nature … of lively videos from the Chicago Botanic Garden, the natural world dazzles with color, sound, and action aimed at young kids and their families. The videos are part of Cook County’s Project Rainbow , under the leadership of Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Through free videos and programs for kids from 3 to 6 years old, the project addresses the education …
Type: Page
… This large (26 inches tall, 48 inches wide) hosta features bright gold leaves with a piecrust margin. 'Jimmy … Crack Corn' is a seedling of H . 'Piedmont Gold.' Hostas are shade tolerant, easy to grow, and long-lived. Although they produce flowers held high above the foliage on long stalks called scapes, they are grown primarily for their foliage and neat habit. Hostas are actively hybridized for leaf color, size, shape, and texture; natural …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… appear, the tree is covered with masses of violet-pink flowers that spring straight from the bare trunks and which provide early season sustenance to hummingbirds and a range of other pollinators. BURGUNDY HEARTS® reaches heights of 20 to 25 feet and widths of …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
