To most people, the word “pollinator” is synonymous with the word “bee,” but only a fraction of plants are pollinated by bees. In fact, many different insects and mammals are pollinators—bats, birds, beetles, and we can't forget our nocturnal friends, moths. Conservation Scientist Krissa Skogen, Ph.D., tells us about the white-lined sphinx moth ( Hyles lineatawe ). Meet Some Moths In the state of …
Type: Plant Info
… you’re missing out on cool-season edibles that can be grown in the spring and again in summer for an enjoyable fall harvest. Cool-season crops include lettuce, spinach, collard greens, … days of autumn.” Timing is Everything The brassicas need about 70 to 80 days to mature for fall harvest. “Brussels sprouts are sweetest after a kiss of frost. Think about harvesting for Thanksgiving,” Hilgenberg says. Whether you sow cool-season crops from seeds, or buy …
Type: Plant Info
… led to its demise at the turn of the twentieth century—when these and other waders were hunted for their feathery plumes that women wore in their hats. Since then, the great egret, standing more than 3 feet tall with a nearly 5-foot wing span, has become the symbol for the National Audubon Society, founded in part to stop these birds from being killed to … is doing well in Illinois; however, habitat loss and water pollution may threaten its future. Visit Baker’s Lake in Barrington to watch the great egret during breeding season and McGinnis …
Type: Birding
… parts that makes a garden a garden.” — Elements of Design by Joe Eck By May, it’s tempting to visit the local garden center and go gaga over all things in bloom. We load up the shopping cart … spring, now’s the time to take stock of what changes or improvements will provide the most for your personal enjoyment and your money. Often, we find inspiration by simply observing and … ( Asclepias tuberosa ) to feed monarchs and other butterflies. Places of Inspiration Did you visit another garden that you particularly enjoyed? Think about the elements that sparked your …
Type: Plant Info
… Ketaurah James VeggieRx Manager, Windy City Harvest For Ketaurah James, her job is more than just a job: She grew up in North Lawndale, where Windy … plants that call our space home. In honor of The Orchid Show: Magnified , open through March 26, 2023, we chatted with one of the people who see the show through from vision to reality. … as much an art piece as it is an experience. Catch the Orchid Show: Magnified through March 26, 2023. Learn More Return to the top Cathy Thomas Plant …
Type: Blog
… sometimes even as late as December. In fact, frost makes kale taste sweeter! Looks Good & Good for You Kale, the cabbage without a head, is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), along … not pure muck. Choose a well-drained, full-sun spot and thin the plants as they grow, allowing for the full-body structure they are going to assume. An alternative is to buy transplants and … on strong stems. The seed packet may say the plant grows to 2 feet, but it's not unusual for the plants to tower considerably higher. The tightly curled foliage offers a texture not …
Type: Plant Info
… own landscapes. The unusual features of the witch hazel family make it an excellent choice for such adventurous gardeners. Witch hazel offers yellow and red fragrant flowers blooming at … seed capsules from the previous year are still attached to the branches, while some can be the latest, waiting until October. Seasons of Blooms Hamamelis mollis The Chinese witch hazel, … is an attractive yellow-orange, a nice contrast to the bright green leaves of summer. Look for these selected cultivars at the Garden: Jelena Witch Hazel 'Jelena' has flowers in an unusual …
Type: Plant Info
… or slough. In spring and fall, when you're walking around the waterways of the Garden, look for this handsome (some might say gaudy-looking) duck. During the breeding season, the northern …
Type: Birding
… tips make the work easier, are less expensive than traditional techniques, and are healthier for your garden. The Basics The dirt on roses. The first step to ensuring gorgeous roses is … and return nutrients. Select a mulch type that is acidic if possible. Choose a sunny spot for your roses; they should receive at least five to six hours of direct sunlight daily—the more, … dead and diseased leaves, and quickly remove fallen leaves as well, which are often sources for reinfection. Consider composting: no need to buy compost when you can make your own! You can …
Type: Plant Info
… in sacks on their hind legs, which doesn’t always make it to the stigma of the flowers they visit (anthers are where the pollen grains are picked up; stigma is where they are deposited for successful pollination). Mason bees (Osmia lignaria) carry pollen all over their bodies, … tubes with larvae. For information about storing and incubating mason bees for next year, visit seedsavers.org . …
Type: Plant Info
