… Conservation = Restoration A rare remnant of the oak woodlands once common in northeastern Illinois, Mary Mix McDonald Woods is, in conservation terms, a restoration — an example of an ecosystem that is being brought back to … wave action. But it is the plants that truly stabilize the shoreline edge. To date, more than 300,000 aquatic plants, most of them native species, have become not only part of the shoreline …
Type: Walks
… on managing bees for optimal pollination, she's trying some new planting combinations "in the field." Using Lisa's techniques, you can increase your garden's yield and improve the … health of your neighborhood bee population, too. A sweat bee ( Halictus ligatus ) covered in Rudbeckia pollen, which the bee gathers to feed to her larvae. Photo by Alex Wild Not all … attracts honeybees, deters cabbage worms, and has an edible flower," said Hilgenberg. In a test bed on the north side of the garden, find the yellow-green heads of pest-deterring zinnias ( …
Type: Plant Info
… At the Chicago Botanic Garden, our staff community is working on being intentional in the way we do our work. In September 2022, we introduced a new set of values: growth, understanding, resilience, and … we identified growth, defined as the willingness to take risks, collaborate, and test new ideas as a value where we excel. Our organization also defines growth as “perseverance …
Type: Blog
… them well into fall 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 … and color better once you bring them indoors for drying. For hydrangea varieties that bloom in colors, such as pink, blue, purple, red, green-blushed, or multicolored, the timing is … already wilted, it’s too late.” Look for the oldest, most mature blooms on the plant. A good test? Gently feel the petals—they should be slightly crisp, almost like tissue paper. Two Easy …
Type: Blog
… A cold spring—or, as some of us in the Second City affectionately call it: Second Winter—can test our ability to feel connected … around us. One of the main tenets that the practice of horticultural therapy is based on is E.O. Wilson’s hypothesis of biophilia: that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections …
Type: Blog
… In the Victorian-era language of flowers, a bunch of violets meant faithfulness. In the language … evidence by itself, but it might prompt you to dig down and investigate or get a soil test. "Any time you see a lot of weeds in your lawn, it's an indication you're not hitting things … quarters, which prefers the high pH of alkaline soils. It's a good reminder to get a soil test that will tell you what you're really dealing with. Adding organic matter can help a bit, …
Type: Plant Info
… I always look forward to seeing Indian corn in the market and finding it in autumn decorations. Indian corn—in its range of hues from blue to deep maroon to oranges, … a pot of water and boil for 30 minutes. (This isn’t hot enough for the corn to pop.) Test for doneness by removing three kernels. If you can push a needle through each of them …
Type: Blog
… you also know that this feeling is fleeting. Those beautiful colors and unusual varieties are in their prime now, when the hot summer days and good strong rains are perfect support for a fruiting pepper plant. In just a month or two, the number of varieties will start to dwindle and your hot spicy recipes … chopped onion. For Thai Chilies, add sesame seed for richer tasting pickles. Time out to taste test! Take a sliver of your pepper and a bit of your pickling liquid and set to the side. Let the …
Type: Blog
… during the season. Given good weather, tens of thousands of these spring migrants may fly over in one night alone. You might not see them right away, but at dawn and dusk, they put on a great performance with myriad melodies and courtship calls. Invite them in You can encourage migrating as well as year-round birds into your garden by offering them … the ground.) Spring is an important time of year for bird feeding. That’s because the seeds in many natural areas and forest preserves are often depleted by now. Sunflower seeds, millet, …
Type: Plant Info
… prairie, woodlands—that have been changed over time by human activities like landscaping. In urban environments like the Chicago area, landscaping with invasive plants has contributed to … the landscape. Some invasive species were, or still are, popular ornamental plants used in landscaping. Because plants form the base of our food web, these invasives potentially can … which make wonderful and interesting sounds, shapes, and sights in the garden. With more than 300 plant species attracting diverse animal species such as tiny spiders and large migrating …
Type: Plant Info
