… a fine-grained, sweet orange flesh. We used to plant them at the end of May—perfect timing for this 110-day crop. The hubbards are versatile winter squash that can be eaten right after … the new year. Australian blue squash ( Cucurbita maxima ‘Queensland Blue') can be stored for an incredibly long time. A member of the avant-garde Australian blue group of squash, … they hail from South America, the blue squash varietals grow equally as well in Australia (for which they are named) because of similar temperatures and length of growing season. This is a …
Type: Blog
… to improve our soils and are about to embark on another trial…biochar. Biochar has been used for thousands of years in the Amazon Basin of South America to greatly improve poor, unproductive soils for farming. The ancient Amazons used a simple “slash-and-char” process to create biochar. This … 3.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons In the past decade, the use of biochar has been investigated for modern agricultural use, in arboriculture, as well as for general use in ornamental landscape …
Type: Blog
… hidden beauty is revealed—as long as you keep your eyes open. A coworker recently told me, for instance, that she never had noticed the red twig dogwood in a Garden parking lot until … to her one winter. Now, on the grayest of days, when she passes that spot, she always looks for that pop of color. You’ll make your own discoveries, whether you’re walking at the Chicago … in a forest preserve, or at another favorite spot. I’ve got a few suggestions on what to look for in winter; download the GardenGuide app to help you find and learn more about specific …
Type: Blog
… Arch Bridge and the Serpentine Bridge—are lit at night. A bridge is such a splendid place for a private conversation and…reflection. The dramatically lit Serpentine Bridge is the path to … a great background. At the top of the Sensory Garden is the photo-worthy frame you’re looking for. Tucked away in the Sensory Garden is this shady arbor, ready for a romantic moment. 6. “Want to try a new place?” One of the newest—and therefore …
Type: Blog
… to previously reported AFLP and isozyme markers in differentiating among cultivars. Data for 19 microsatellite loci have been collected for 349 individuals (representing 255 accessions) inclduing breadfruit (A. altilis), two wild … 197 unique genotypes sorted into 129 different lineages, but a single genotype accounts for 49 percent of all triploid breadfruit examined. Triploid hybrids and diploid A. altilis …
Type: Research
… of the Gators) hosted the State Bonsai Convention. That weekend was an eye-opening experience for me, as I got to learn from and assist international bonsai artists like Jim Smith, Colin … in Okazaki, Japan, where he had spent some time. Suzuki, or “Oyakata” (an honorific reserved for a person of high authority) as we would call him, was a third-generation bonsai master and … gave me an entirely different perspective on how the practice of bonsai has evolved in Japan for centuries. In April 2014, I started as the curator of bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden. …
Type: Blog
… knew you’d say, “Share.” From a Fruitful Garden Web designer Christina Weisbard has a weakness for fruit trees…which explains the bounty of mulberry, quince, and crabapple jellies that she’s made for holiday gifts this year. Of the pickled green tomatoes that she also canned, she says, “They … out as precious gifts, perfectly presented in a green berry box softened with raffia. Not just for Easter: Plymouth Barred Rock hen eggs are this season’s gift, too. Currant Events Boyce …
Type: Blog
… Life on the prairie hasn’t been a breeze for the beautiful eastern prairie fringed orchid ( Platanthera leucophaea) . Once common across … a passion in scientists and volunteers across the Midwest who began gathering leaf samples for genetic analysis and recording measurements on the health of certain populations. Some … paper with their field notes and placing them in long-term storage facilities called herbaria, for future reference. As it turns out, some of the plant materials they saved are from …
Type: Blog
… Circle, Ring, Wreath This is a BIG wreath—great for an outdoor wall. Flint. Dent. Sweet. Flour. Pod. Pop. Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden … a charming mascot dubbed “Mr. Who.” Children’s educator Kathy Johnson used just one ingredient for her made-by-hand wreath: natural raffia. It’s hand-knotted into evergreen sprays and red … team from the Development Department (spearheaded by Lisa Bakker) brainstorm, gather, and plan for their wreath that it took them just two lunch breaks to assemble and decorate it. All summer …
Type: Blog
… Garden, we were reminded of the pure joy that plants can bring. Alice provided special moments for many people—including me. On September 28, at 12:51 a.m., I received a text from the Chicago … This is it. This is what so many dedicated horticulturists at the Garden have been waiting for, and watching for, with our collection of eight titan arums over these last 12 years. I arrived at the Garden …
Type: Blog
