… Garden North Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden Ayse Pogue is the senior horticulturist for the Malott Japanese Garden. She is also responsible for overseeing and coordinating the maintenance of Evening Island, the Ellis Goodman Family … Pogue assists with gardening classes, leads tours, and gives demonstrations. Pogue has worked for the Garden since 2007, when she started out as a seasonal assistant horticulturist in the …
Type: Staff bio
… Sensory Garden Circle Garden Lakeside Gardens Heather Sherwood is the senior horticulturist for the Helen and Richard Thomas English Walled Garden. She also is responsible for the West Flower Walk, McGinley Pavilion, Runnells Courtyard, and Searle Courtyard; she … Gardens. Sherwood has been with the Garden since 2000, when she started out as a grower for the Plant Production department. She was promoted to supervisor of specialty areas in 2003 …
Type: Staff bio
… Show of hands: Who’s ready for spring? We are, too. Thankfully, the bright, blooming containers in the Heritage Garden at … and warm fuzzies along with them. Just standing near these spring annuals makes us happy, and for horticulturist Tom Soulsby—who’s been planting these signature troughs for the past 15 years—it’s one of his favorite things to do each spring. The bright, colorful …
Type: Blog
… nesting habitats up north, while others return and stay in the area. Spring is the season for laying eggs, because it gives the juvenile birds all summer to mature and become strong … synchronized with the seasons. At this time of year, recently returned birds will be looking for material to build a nest and lay eggs. You can provide some bling for a lucky bird family with a few things you have around your home. You will need items …
Type: Blog
… walk me through the process of book dedication. Turns out there are three “levels” to consider for dedication. Here’s how they work: Level 1 : General Book Dedication Each year, approximately 100 newly-purchased books are set aside specifically for the tribute program—that’s the bookended group you’ll find on the shelf. Topics are garden-related, of course, but very diverse—and if you don’t see the topic you’re looking for, the staff will work with you to find the right book. Ask a librarian to share the list of …
Type: Blog
… 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
