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  • … often escaping into the cultivated garden areas where they would "volunteer" seedlings for years to come. The concept of a knot herb garden was an attempt to combine utilitarianism … with formal gardening. Thyme, lavender, and rosemary are three of the woody herbs suitable for this style. Gardeners today can borrow from this concept and create knot gardens using … Pleaching A boulevard or allée lined with tall, carefully pruned trees might be appropriate for large-scale country gardens. Gardeners in small-scale or urban sites can imitate this concept …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … a knockout punch to some plants this year. (You may recall that the Garden was closed for two consecutive days in late January due to extreme weather conditions.) Japanese maples and … yellow.” “A lot of stresses are cumulative, and the past couple of years have been stressful for plants,” Tiddens said. “We’ve had a very cold winter and a slow, wet spring. Plants have a budget—it’s usually more of a balanced budget for resources or growth. When they’re stressed out, the budget goes to defense.”   That …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Description: Look in open areas like the Dixon Prairie, or elsewhere around the Garden, for this warbler that is common at the Garden during its long migration stopover. One of the most … you can watch yellow-rumped warblers perched on trees along the lakes and river waiting for insects rising from the water. You may observe the yellow-rumped warbler as it flies into the … You can often even hear the bill snap as the warbler traps the hapless bug. Also, listen for the series of fast, high-pitched notes as the yellow-rumped warbler males defend feeding …
    Type: Birding
  • … up from a nap! We can go and take care of the plants right away and know they will look good for our visitors.” The brains of the system, a computer that the horticulturists have nicknamed, … far, Hal-lie’s response to program enhancement has been “I’m sorry, I can’t do that, Davina.” For now, the gardeners are happy that the information seems accurate and Hal-lie cannot read lips. For a sample dataset, how to access this technology, and other important findings of our work …
    Type: Blog
  • … of the year. To end our celebration, we turn back on our lights and heat, and we are thankful for this too. It can be soothing to take cues from the cycles of nature. On this winter solstice, take a moment to pause and reflect, and make a wish for the bright beautiful new year. Happy Solstice! Create your own tradition Watch the sunrise or …
    Type: Blog
  • … Vibrant floor art at the Orchid Show reflects India’s beauty For thousands of years, cultures around the world have created designs on the ground. In India, … and it’s obliterated. She does it again the next day.” Johnson is creating two large rangolis for The Orchid Show: India Blooms, set beside bright blue wooden doors near Nichols Hall, …
    Type: Blog
  • … Temperatures colder than that will freeze tissue and kill the roots. There are several methods for overwintering small, hardy woody plants. If you have an unheated garage, stairwell or … the plants well now, throughout autumn and even during winter thaws. Another option is to wait for several freezes and then move the containers close to the house where they will be protected …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … against each other should be removed, since the wood will wear away and create an entry point for disease and insects. Tiny broken stems should also be removed. Roses may also be pruned at this time to create an even shape. For more information on spring rose pruning, check out our informational videos on pruning roses …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … sound practices when dealing with insect problems, and determine your personal threshold for damage.  Chemical treatments should always be considered a last option. Regular monitoring of … the least amount of beneficial insects are present. Please contact Plant Information Service for the most current chemical options recommended by the University of Illinois Extension.  …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Q. I have a small aquatic garden in my yard. How do I get it up and operating for summer? A. Performing basic maintenance on your water feature as part of spring startup will … the pond. Please contact Plant Information at (847) 835-0972 or plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org for more information. …
    Type: Plant Info