Search

  • … bumblebee was once a common sight across the eastern United States, ranging from Minnesota to Massachusetts. Like all bumblebees, it is a superb pollinator of some of our favorite foods like tomatoes and blueberries, but also of … actionable advice to Chicago area residents and industry leaders about which garden plants best support local biodiversity. As we neared the end of data collection that day, we were both …
    Type: Blog
  • … Q. I would like to use some of the flowering shrubs on my property and cut branches to force indoors for late-winter color. What is the best way to do this? A. Branches from most flowering trees or shrubs can be successfully forced after …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … I love coming home to my quiet, tree-lined Chicago neighborhood, but one thing I miss about urban living is ample … stairs. Growing an herb container doesn’t require a whole lot of space, luckily. To find the best inspiration, I turned to Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist for the Regenstein Fruit & … calls for two types of potatoes, and four or five different herbs. If you go to the store and buy these ingredients, it could cost eight bucks apiece. To grow scallions, dill, basil, and …
    Type: Blog
  • … Specimen Collection How to collect and submit plant and insect samples Please submit one of the following forms when … Diagnosis Plant or Insect Identification General Questions Please provide us with two ways to respond to your questions, such as several phone numbers, e-mail address, or mailing address. … out a Plant Diagnosis form, please provide as much information as possible, including where it is planted, light received, watering practices, chemical treatments given, age, and other …
    Type: Page
  • … Winter is no stranger to Chicago and can sometimes feel like a less-than-pleasant guest. But as the days get shorter and colder, we set our sights on the gifts of winter and look forward to holidays, friends, and food. Put planet Earth on your gift list and consider these ideas for …
    Type: Blog
  • … Curcurbita pepo varieties are the ones used primarily for jack-o’-lanterns. Consider going to the pumpkin patch early. A well-chosen pumpkin will last at least until Halloween and, if you go early, you can have your choice of the best ones. If you are choosing a pumpkin directly from the field in which it was grown, try to go … is firm and not rubbery, as a rubbery handle indicates that disease organisms are making their way from the stem into the fruit. Once you find the perfect pumpkin, remember to be gentle when …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … Andrea Wulf's depiction of early U.S. presidents who passionately promoted farming as a means to independence — would be tickled to see the American Seed Saver bed in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. There, visitors … States Department of Agriculture more than 150 years ago. The big, sweet, and juicy tomato is a good slicer and also makes great ketchup. “What could be more American than that?” …
    Type: Blog
  • … Nature and Wellness Resources for year-round healing Five ways to heal with plants in winter When winter takes its toll—dry skin, coughs, holiday overload—you … may find remedies in the natural world. An increasing number of people are turning to plants to heal mind, body, and spirit. You can take a class at the Chicago Botanic Garden to … Activities For a Break Inside or out, connecting with nature helps reduce stress. Utilize what is around you, whether it be a holding a single leaf or sitting quietly beneath an enormous tree. …
    Type: Page
  • … planted them are gone, having endowed a gift for tomorrow. Similarly, making a planned gift to the Chicago Botanic Garden is an investment in our future—ensuring that for generations, people will connect with nature … when donated to a charitable organization, it is a tax-free gift." He added, "This is an easy way to show support for the Garden's future financial needs." Donate … when donated to a charitable organization, it is a tax-free gift." He added, "This is an easy way to show support for the Garden's future financial needs." Donate …
    Type: Page
  • … reasonably priced gift? Plants are all that and more. Here's a quick guide on which plants to buy—as a gift or for yourself. If you buy them at a store, wrap them up completely and get them … It's beautiful because the red, cream, or sparkle-laden plants are dazzling. But it is also dreaded because the plant will drop its leaves in warm and dry air, cold drafts, or …
    Type: Blog