… timing, because the hummingbirds get energy for their journey southward by sipping nectar from the blossoms of these plants native to northern Illinois. Ruby-throated hummingbird © Carol … both of which lack the ruby throat.) They return to Illinois in April and May, seeking nectar from early blooming trees and shrubs as well as insects and spiders. It’s at this time you might … Buzzes? Yes! Hummingbirds aren’t silent—you can hear their wings buzz and vocalizations from their throats when they’re defending feeding territory or seeking a mate. The female builds …
Type: Blog
… a heart Ceropegia These tolerant plants have captivating flowers that look like they escaped from a Dr. Seuss book. The foliage is heart-shaped, with blushing purple undersides. The purple … tropical plants have slippery pitcher-shaped modified leaves. The plants get nutrients from the insects that accidentally slide into their pitchers. No worries if you don’t have … and are easy to grow. I’ve found that these orchids will tolerate a wide range of light, from low to direct, daylong sun. Keep these orchids moist, but not sitting in water. I like …
Type: Blog
… you take required a pollinator visit? Pollination is essential for many of our favorite foods—from almonds to vanilla, and so many fruits and vegetables in between. The decline of pollinators … by Christian Mehlführer (Own work) [ CC-BY-3.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons A monarch sips nectar from common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ) on the Dixon Prairie. In the case of the monarch, … are disappearing, and as they go, so do the monarchs. There are things all of us can do: from planting milkweeds and other native plant species that provide nectar throughout the growing …
Type: Blog
… of your plants and flowers. Peonies are the queen of the garden during their blooming season. From late spring through early summer, there is a beautiful abundance of color and shapes … Here are few tips to extend the bloom of cut peonies indoors. When cutting flowers from your plants, be sure to leave at least two sets of leaves on the stem so that the plant can … open. I dunk the blossom end of the stem in cool, clean water for 30 seconds to rid the ants from the flower before bringing the flowers into the house. …
Type: Blog
… and often overwhelming. Gardeners often have many different sources or cultivars to select from at their local nursery, and not all are equal in their ability to survive and support … that many more sources are able to survive and provide wildlife support in small gardens far from natural areas than are suitable for large restoration efforts near natural areas. This means many gardeners can rest easy knowing that the nativar from their local nursery will likely be a fine choice for their yard as long as they are not near …
Type: Research
… and Bucknell University professor Chris Martine, Ph.D., talks about guiding students away from their electronic devices and into the plant world. It is a pretty spring day. The sun shines … by modern botanists for some time. The students beyond my windowpane, however, are suffering from an ailment of a different nature, something I have begun to refer to as the “Mantid … the details of the nature in their world—it’s a fundamental inability to tear their eyes from their screens long enough to know that nature is even there . This is dangerous, of course, …
Type: Blog
… involved in horticulture since, at age 12, she started working at a cut-flower farm was across from her home in Maryland. She received a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Before working at the Garden, she was employed by …
Type: Staff bio
… and general grounds. Johnson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984. He worked as a foreman for Campbell's Garden Center, installing and maintaining landscapes. During summer breaks from college, he completed internships at the Beatrice Developmental Center in Beatrice, …
Type: Staff bio
… ) is an annual ornamental grass. It has no “ears” or “cobs,” and it can grow anywhere from 12 to 14 feet tall. Broomcorn seeds are planted in the early spring, and stalks are … growing in the Garden’s Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Where does broomcorn come from? Broomcorn originated in central Africa, where it eventually spread to the Mediterranean. … and broom press. How much broomcorn is used to make a broom? Spannagel orders his broomcorn from a supplier, and uses seven bundles of straw to make a broom. It takes about 45 minutes to …
Type: Blog
… in Ecuador. Another interesting thing about the naranjilla—a detail that separates it from other members of the family—is that the leaves look soft and fuzzy, but they can … grow sharp thorns along the veins. As you might expect, the thorns discourage large animals from eating the leaves. They are not as sharp and menacing as rose thorns, but you wouldn’t want … thorns on the plants in the Growing Garden. (The white things on this leaf are stamens fallen from the nearby “bunny tail” grass.) …
Type: Blog
