… loss of wildlife. But when it comes to the North American prairie, fires are a crucial tool for native plants to thrive and to safeguard against extinction. Until now, it was unclear … and a team of conservation scientists at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action found that burning the prairies helps plants … angustifolia , commonly known as the narrow-leaved purple coneflower, making it easier for the plants to mate and reproduce. “We found evidence that two things—being closer to …
Type: Blog
… scientists at the Garden continued to work remotely to ensure the rare species they care for are not lost. This is important because plant species are being lost at an alarming rate, and … Kayri Havens, Ph.D., who led the project, noted that “this paper provides a framework for global collaboration among botanic gardens that will be transformative for off-site, or ex situ, conservation of rare plants that can’t be seed-banked.” The Garden team …
Type: Research
… my container gardens in the growing season, but what’s the best way to brighten your doorstep for the longest season of all: winter? The answer is the easiest kind of container gardening, even for the black thumbs among us. The key is knowing how to create a harmonious design that doesn’t … I learned: Materials needed: Winter-hardy container: plastic or fiber container and wood mulch for filler A variety of winter greens: balsam fir, white spruce, white pine, western red cedar …
Type: Blog
… every plant parent’s life when you begin to think about expanding your family. Are you ready for more plant children? Should you reassemble the crib? How will your houseplants feel about … or dividing roots. Taking leaf or stem cuttings is one of the most common propagation methods for houseplants. Some houseplants, such as pothos or begonia, are better suited to stem cuttings. … works best . Cathy Thomas, the Chicago Botanic Garden’s propagation expert, shared a few tips for creating new plants from stem and leaf cuttings. 1. Cut a piece of your houseplant below a …
Type: Blog
… ones to get their hands dirty as they explore the natural world. We’ve got lots of ideas for projects you can do at home to get kids thinking about plants and how they grow. Here’s how … at a garden supply store. It expands when soaked in water and stays moist, so it is ideal for this project. You can substitute regular soil or sawdust as the medium. Time: This project … minutes to make and set up. When complete, it takes about a week to sprout and then can grow for a few weeks if you take care of it. Directions: Spoon or carefully pour a generous cup of …
Type: Blog
… much garlic mustard in our natural areas in recent years, and its reemergence is a reminder for all of us that controlling and managing invasive species is an ongoing challenge. Our natural … spread and crowd out native species. We need those native plants to maintain healthy habitats for birds, wildlife, and other plants. Prescribed burning is essential for control of invasive species. We were only able to do one prescribed burn at the Garden this …
Type: Blog
… on the southeast corner of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center—for smaller landscapes. He describes Regal Prince as a hybrid oak that is columnar in shape. … County Arboretum in Kentucky, “I started getting interested in oaks, started collecting oaks for my house, and the obsession grew from there,” he said. The outdoors has always been a part of … visitors and to help build the woody plants collection. “Woody plants fulfill such a role for us and for the environment,” he said. “They provide so much for us, and they really fulfill …
Type: Blog
… he has worked since 2001. As part of his job, he is the grower and buyer of all the plants for the seasonal annual displays, containers, hanging baskets, and specialty plant displays. He … displays and unusual plants and flowers that the Garden displays to create excitement for plants. He has a bachelor of science degree in landscape horticulture, with a concentration … University. Pollak writes for newspapers and other media and appears regularly on local TV news segments to discuss gardening topics. He is also a regular instructor for the Joseph …
Type: Staff bio
… A Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is called the “gateway orchid” for beginning collectors: it requires very little care, and yields great rewards with blooms that … them because they are often packed in sphagnum moss, which provides too much moisture for the plant. I was also not aware that you should repot your orchids every one to two years to … to maintain a healthy growing environment. Our first video details step-by-step instructions for repotting a Phalaeanopsis orchid. Stay tuned for part two next week, when Anne reviews the …
Type: Blog
… vines, wild roses, and other invasive plants to reach stable ground. It’s all in a day’s work for Bunting, who has gone on wild plant-collecting trips around the country and world during his … lost in the wild due to extreme weather or other threats, there is no backup. It could be gone for good. A sweetbay magnolia tree stands out in Delhaas Woods, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. By … Their goal was to collect trees with novel traits, or genes, which would be beneficial for future breeding. When the team navigated the swamp, their spirits were still high from an …
Type: Blog
