… well-being than those who don’t. In our increasingly digital lives, a wildlife sighting is a reminder that we all share the same fragile planet, that we all are interconnected. You know when there’s a hawk sighting at the Garden, for instance—everyone outside is looking up; everyone inside is rushing to the windows. The Garden’s 385 acres are just one part of a great urban green space …
Type: Blog
… and beyond. Find the Perfect Moment for Picking The most important step in drying hydrangeas is knowing when to cut them. “The best time to cut white flowering hydrangeas is when the top or center flowers begin to show a slight green tint,” said Heather Sherwood, … bloom in colors, such as pink, blue, purple, red, green-blushed, or multicolored, the timing is similar. “Wait until the flowers have a papery texture and their color begins to shift—often …
Type: Blog
… True gourmets know that salsa is much more than a medium for chip dipping; it adds flavor and color to a host of … describes its flavor and aroma as "irresistible" despite its searing heat. The jalapeno is still hot, but much less so. The 'Garden Salsa' hybrid is milder yet, developed just for salsa, offering the exact amount of heat the North American …
Type: Plant Info
… Foliage In any garden, foliage color is an important element. Flowers come and go, but leaves stay the season. Foliage is especially important in shady gardens, where flowers are usually more subtle and less showy. … in Plant Evaluation Notes #21 . Ligularia Desdemona ligularia ( Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona') is a shrub-sized perennial with large, dark green leaves with purple undersides. Standing 3 to 4 …
Type: Plant Info
… to a rich buttery gold. These carefree shrubs will grow in almost any soil type as long as it is not extremely dry. A bonus—deer tend to leave them alone. Meet Some of the Garden's … Forsythia The Garden’s collection includes many forsythia species and cultivars. A cultivar is a plant developed through breeding for particular characteristics such as color, scent, size, or shape Girald forsythia ( Forsythia giraldiana ) is a large species from northwestern China where it grows in open woodlands, rocky slopes, and …
Type: Plant Info
… in the summer. This allows them to mature in the cooler, shorter days of autumn.” Timing is Everything The brassicas need about 70 to 80 days to mature for fall harvest. “Brussels … for a fall harvest can be a little tricky. When gardeners plant in spring, the daylight is growing longer by the week and the weather and the soil become warmer. But, after the summer … more time to get to the harvesting stage than when they’re grown in the spring. “The key is knowing when to sow or to transplant for fall harvest and that depends on the average fall …
Type: Plant Info
… are intimidated by growing roses, and the idea of incorporating ecofriendly techniques is just another thorn in their sides. Nothing could be further from the truth! Rose care requires work, but it is straightforward, the rewards are rich, and many "green" tips make the work easier, are less … for your garden. The Basics The dirt on roses. The first step to ensuring gorgeous roses is making sure your soil is healthy. You can arrange to have your soil assessed , or do it …
Type: Plant Info
… cherishes nature can wear a saree adorned with lotuses, jasmines, and vines. Choosing fabrics is done with care as well—silk over brocade for a garden event, or perhaps organza over georgette for an evening at the symphony. My favorite saree is the Paithani from my home state of Maharashtra, with its beautiful border of peacocks and … Lakshmibai by a court artist, via Wikimedia Commons . The art of wearing and draping a saree is also an outlet to express spirituality, culture, and beliefs. Traditionally, a petticoat is …
Type: Blog
… Is it Spring or Winter? Flowers Wage Their Bets As if on cue, tiny green leaves peek out from the … false start,” said Paul CaraDonna, Ph.D., a Chicago Botanic Garden conservation scientist. “It is important to keep in mind that plants have long dealt with variable and unpredictable environments. How they make a living right now is based on figuring that out over thousands of years.” “Figuring that out” is at once complex …
Type: Blog
… or containers that offer nectar for the adults and host plants for the caterpillars. Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid that butterflies, bees, and other pollinators rely on for energy. If you … have nectar plants that will attract them. Be a Butterfly Bartender A butterfly’s tongue is shaped like a flexible straw, which it unrolls and dips into the base of a flower. Native … small understory tree was once common in Illinois, its habitat has greatly diminished, which is a shame because the fruit, when ripe, is delicious. Some hairstreaks lay their eggs on oaks, …
Type: Plant Info
