… Several decades ago, an osprey would be a rare—if not impossible—sight in Cook County in the summer. But now, thanks to the ban on certain pesticides (including DDT), and the creation of osprey nesting platforms, the fish-eating bird is breeding again in local forest preserves. The osprey looks somewhat like an adult bald eagle, but doesn’t have …
Type: Blog
… If you happened to walk around the Heritage Garden in late June, the unusual blue color of the Moroccan mountain eryngo (pronounced eh-RING-go), … as many of them as I could. This was a lot harder than I expected, because the insects were in constant motion and most of them were small. I didn't always capture the key features needed to identify them at the species level. In spite of this, you'll see that that the variety was astounding. Let me introduce you to what I …
Type: Blog
… return: start seeds. It’s easy to do, whether you want to start seeds on a sunny windowsill or in a more formal arrangement. The great thing about starting seeds indoors is that it is … It's a great time to start broccoli, peppers, and brussel sprouts. Check the timing before you buy, and use the seed packet information to lay out your timeline. Start with a sterile starting … to find their way between its particles. Potting mix is generally too dense; it's better to buy a sterile seed-starting mix. The mix must be sterile because cleanliness is crucial . New …
Type: Blog
… shrub with thin, arching branches and small, toothed leaves. It grows to only 2 to 4 feet in height and is recommended for use in mass planting, hedges, or shrub borders. This native of Japan blooms in late May or early … be challenging. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes 20 varieties and more than 300 plants. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Upright, cylindrical racemes of tiny, bell-shaped, fully double pink flowers cover the shrub in late spring for about two weeks. It blooms later than most other deutzias. Ovate dull green … slender stems and a fine-textured arching habit. The clusters of small flowers that appear in spring or early summer are white on most species, but may be pinkish in a few species and … be challenging. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes 20 varieties and more than 300 plants. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… histrioides 'George' is among the first of the very early spring flowers to come into bloom in the Chicago area. George is actually a hybrid between Iris reticulata and Iris histrioides and … petals that hang down, known as falls. The dark purple falls contain a blotch of white edged in yellow, known as a nectar guide. Close observation on a sunny day will provide an opportunity … from the Greek iris , a messenger from the gods who traveled to earth on a rainbow. About 300 species of iris can be found in a wide range of habitats in the northern hemisphere, varying …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Star magnolia, native to Japan, is one of the earliest magnolias to bloom in the spring, which makes the buds vulnerable to a late frost. Large, delicate white to light pink flowers with numerous strap-like petals open in April and are quite fragrant. The star magnolia's dark-green leaves turn yellow to bronze in … that do thrive here are often subject to damage from cold spring nights. The genus includes of 300 species and numerous hybrids and cultivars. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… magnolia is a hybrid cross between the native M. acuminata and 'Big Dude' that was developed in Wisconsin by Dennis Ledvina in a breeding program that focused on cold hardiness. The flowers are a deep reddish rose on the … do thrive here are often subject to damage from cold spring nights. The genus includes over 300 species and numerous hybrids and cultivars. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The elegant tapered buds of Elizabeth magnolia open to large, primrose-yellow flowers in spring. The first of the yellow-flowered magnolias was created by hybridizing the very large … smaller-statured Asian species. This cultivar was patented by the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in 1977. Members of the genus Magnolia are known for the stunning beauty of their usually large … do thrive here are often subject to damage from cold spring nights. The genus includes over 300 species and numerous hybrids and cultivars. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… purple splashes at the base on a slow-growing plant with an almost columnar habit. It blooms in late spring and is rarely vulnerable to frost damage. Its short stature makes it suitable for narrow spaces in small gardens. Members of the genus Magnolia are known for the stunning beauty of their … do thrive here are often subject to damage from cold spring nights. The genus includes over 300 species and numerous hybrids and cultivars. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
