… regarding rare plants. The research takes them to many exciting destinations searching for rare plants in the west. The dwarf bear-poppy The genus Arctomecon (also known as … white flowers and unique habitat. In many ways, the dwarf bear-poppy is a poster child for rare plant conservation. It is restricted to a small area in southwestern Utah close to the … “claw-tipped” teeth at their apex sheds light on the origin of bear-poppy as a common name for these plants. Everything about dwarf bear-poppy exudes beauty. Delicate flowers of the dwarf …
Type: Blog
… When we decided on the theme for this year’s Orchid Show, In the Tropics, what popped into the designer’s head was this: (wait for it; we’ll show you): Tiny islands. Tall palm trees. Splashes of color. Designer Brian … Garden. Also, Orchids After Hours is back —on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., the Show is lit for evening, and cocktails and light tropical fare are available for purchase. New this year …
Type: Blog
… Eaves, owner of Vivant Gardening Services in Chicago, teamed up to create delicious mixers for cocktails. You can easily make these cocktails at home. What makes a cocktail botanical? … any herb in your garden can be used to flavor drinks. Herbs + fresh fruit = a delicious base for all sorts of beverages. Grab what’s in season in your garden and experiment. Below you will … heat until sugar dissolves, bringing the mixture just to a boil. Add herbs in, stir gently for 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Let the mixture cool (approximately 30 minutes). Strain. …
Type: Blog
… Rigoberto Montoya is an assistant grower for the Plant Production department's indoor floriculture division. He is responsible for the day-to-day care of plants, and he comes up with innovative ways to grow the specialty crops for display. He also assists with the delivery of plants to the garden areas and operates a …
Type: Staff bio
… not. They’re hard at work during snowy winters, thinking about all the new plants and planning for the New Year. We asked a few horticulturists for their gardening resolutions—whether at the Chicago Botanic Garden, or in their own backyard. Feel free to snag one of their ideas for yourself. Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturist, Helen and Richard Thomas English Walled …
Type: Blog
… small foliage and flowering plants together in a decorative container—like a basket or saucer—for a versatile display you can enjoy throughout the year. Dish gardens are easy to grow, very … blooming, the flowers can be easily removed or replaced, and the dish garden can be enjoyed for many more months. Choose the container: Your dish garden should be planted in a shallow … a plastic liner or saucer in the container, or add a layer of gravel or pebbles on the bottom for drainage. Choose the plants: Use small starter plants; 3-inch or 4-inch pots work best. …
Type: Blog
… I’m thinking ahead about comfort plants—ones that lift your spirits. As senior horticulturist for the Regenstein Center Greenhouses at the Chicago Botanic Garden, I talk to a lot of people … They have large, showy flowers, some of which smell like carrion to attract pollinators. For example, the huge, hairy, star-shaped flowers of Stapelia gigantea have a decaying flesh odor that attracts flies. The plants are easy to care for. Give them plenty of indirect sunlight and water as the soil begins to dry. Have a heart …
Type: Blog
… If you are longing for spring blooms as much as we are, you might like to try forcing branches to bloom indoors. … trees and shrubs form their flower buds in late summer or fall before the plants go dormant for the winter. The buds can be forced into bloom indoors in late winter or early spring. … undergo a period of cold. Once the branches are indoors in water it may take one to four weeks for the blossoms to open, although two weeks is typical. The closer to their natural bloom time …
Type: Blog
… piney fragrance. They feature dark green needles (often with silver undersides) and are known for their rounded needles, which minimize injuries. They’re among the longest-lived Christmas … they all share one thing in common; incredibly sharp needles. While they make terrific trees for outdoor decorating, they do not hold up very well to the dry air indoors. If you select a … and their color range is quite appealing. When used properly, spruce can be an excellent plant for holiday decorating. Pinus cembra ‘Blue Mound’ showcases its long, soft needles Pine ( Pinus …
Type: Blog
… In spring to early summer, the plants become covered in white, apple blossom-like flowers for several days to weeks. The glossy green foliage holds up against extreme heat and drought, … your diet! Sweeten the fruit with honey or sugar to make a jam or syrup. I recommend ‘Viking’ for less astringent fruit that is good for harvesting. If fruit doesn’t interest you, consider ‘Professor Ed’ or the Chicagoland Grows …
Type: Blog
