… CaraDonna, Ph.D., a Chicago Botanic Garden conservation scientist. “It is important to keep in mind that plants have long dealt with variable and unpredictable environments. How they make a … changes. An international team of scientists recently discovered a “thermometer” molecule in plants that can measure the temperature of the soil around them, which triggers spring budding, according to a 2016 study published in the journal Science . Stems act like fiber optic cables Plants also rely on light to schedule …
Type: Blog
… used—will come from local, regional, and national collaborations. From habitat restorations in our local forest preserves to massive wildfire recovery efforts in the western United States, … farms, and develop green infrastructure. To increase native seed availability, the Garden and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are bringing together governments, nonprofits, and the nursery … need for habitat restoration on federal public lands. Since 2001, the Garden has supported the U.S. government’s native seed and restoration programs—from hand collecting seed to assisting …
Type: Research
… Southern Illinois. They are the unsung heroes of the conservation world: dedicated volunteers, in muddy boots and thorn-snagged pants, giving back to the landscapes they love. “I think caring for the natural world brings out the best in people,” said Stevens. The swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Source: Doug McGrady. … rare species. Take the swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Once classified as endangered in Illinois, it grows in swampy, hard-to-reach places and is easy to overlook. After volunteers …
Type: Blog
… winter, some gardeners fear the worst. They imagine bugs coming out of their winter dormancy in record numbers: Japanese beetles, aphids, four-lined plant bugs, cucumber beetles, spongy … Both are small orange beetles with black spots—almost indistinguishable from one another. In late fall, many homes are invaded by the Asian ladybird looking for a place to spend the … They like walls that have been painted white or face south, where they might congregate in the hundreds. They can be vacuumed up very gently, emptying the bag outside so that the …
Type: Plant Info
… flowers. The most well-known member of this group is the poinsettia, whose red "flowers" are in fact the showy bracts of an ornamental spurge. All spurges have a milky sap that in some species can be irritating to the skin. They are ancient plants named for Eurphorbius, a … garden spurges are valued for the bright yellow bracts that cover the plants like flowers in spring. Most spurges are mid-spring bloomers, with the bracts coloring in May or even earlier, …
Type: Plant Info
… Take a stroll through a Midwestern prairie in high summer and you’ll likely find patches of vibrant red-orange flowers. The brilliant … viceroys, skippers, monarchs, and a host of other winged wonders flutter over the flowers in search of nectar all summer long. A native perennial, butterfly weed is found in prairies, restored natural areas, embankments, along roadsides and railroad tracks, old …
Type: Plant Info
… As your eyes move across a beautiful landscape, consider the plants that give you pause. In the opinion of renowned garden writer Allen Lacy, the astilbe is one of these prized garden … versatile and adaptable to a variety of settings, it is one of the "steeples and spikes" in a panoramic garden. At the Chicago Botanic Garden, these lovely perennials are integrated … waves of greenery are masses of astilbes, pointing skyward. "Astilbes are tremendous weapons in the fight against rugs and dumplings." So stated Mr. Lacy as he cheered the use of the astilbe …
Type: Plant Info
… One morning in early July, while conducting routine pollinator assessments with my Research Experiences for … ) sips nectar from wild bergamot ( Monarda fistulosa ). Photo by Nick Dorian. Only one species in our region has this color pattern—the rusty patched bumblebee ( Bombus affinis )—but this … has vanished from most of its range and had never before been seen at the Garden. The bee in question flew off, and we were left wondering whether or not we had just discovered something …
Type: Blog
… as gifts. Here are some tips for keeping them healthy and blooming. AMARYLLIS Plant the bulb in a light soilless mixture. Water the bulb thoroughly once, then again only when the soil mix is … to the touch. Amaryllis bulbs can tolerate dryness but not soggy conditions. Place the pot in a bright location, out of direct sunlight and away from cool drafts or warm heating vents. … for next year's growth. FLOWERING AZALEA A healthy azalea will bloom for almost two months in winter given a minimum of attention. Place the plant in a bright spot out of direct sun. Do …
Type: Plant Info
… jasmine). They all need bright light with at least four hours of direct sun per day. In spring and summer, water regularly and fertilize every two weeks with a high phosphorus … fertilizer to encourage good flower development. If possible, place the vine outside in direct sun for the summer (after a gradual period of acclimatization to the outdoors). Pruning and repotting should take place in spring. Jasmine, like many other tropical flowering plants, requires at least a 15-degree …
Type: Plant Info
