… Although slow-growing, this boxwood ( Buxus microphylla ) should make a full recovery. The bad news is that more plant damage is likely to appear once the weather is consistently warm, though … the specimen. Unfortunately, some evergreens will be a total loss. This is especially true for plants grown at the edge of the hardiness zone. To determine whether a bush is going to make it, look for new buds or lightly scratch a branch to look for signs of green wood. Patience is often a …
Type: Blog
… about right this year, but the quality of the experience is a little ‘off,’” Tankersley said. “For instance, the cherry [tree] outside my office—in a good year—is a mass of light yellow … the Chicago area is hard to predict.” Part of the mission of the Garden’s Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action is to fight climate change through scientific research … a topic of conversation among the horticulture staff for the last couple of weeks and in the news,” said Tankersley. “The diminished [fall] displays are caused, in part, by the drought and …
Type: Blog
… leaves, buds, and flowers. How does scent play a role in attracting hawkmoths? Do moths use it for pollination? Or do they use it to find host plants to lay their eggs? Or maybe both? Hawkmoth … prior research, we know that floral scent can vary within and between plant populations. For instance, within the species O. harringtonii , some populations produce a scent compound … collaborator, Rob Raguso at Cornell University, sent us hawkmoth pupae and we patiently waited for them to emerge. Victoria Luizzi (left) and Andrea Gruver (right) dissect a female moth to …
Type: Blog
… turn to romance. Over the years, the Garden has been the site of many a romantic story for both staff and visitors. With summer in full swing—and romance in the air—here are a few more … gondola car that bore an engagement ring in a box, and dropped to one knee to ask for his lady’s hand. She said yes. 2005: Where to Hide a Ring in Spring She said yes—Heather and … Like any workplace, the Garden has its share of romantic stories starring staff, too. For horticulturist Heather Sherwood, the story began with a memorable date: 5/5/05. She worked …
Type: Blog
… Miniature flower arrangements offer a charming and whimsical gift for mom, grandma, or anyone special. A nice feature of these tiny bouquets is that you can show … herbs (thyme, rosemary, and lavender work well because they have stiff stems) Optional: ribbon for added decoration Here are the supplies for creating bottle cap bouquets. The directions are pretty simple. Cut the floral foam to fit …
Type: Blog
… important driver of this diversity was the mosaic of soil and bedrock underlying the prairies. For example, the xeric (dry) communities of the prairies were associated with exposed bedrock … be developed based on findings and past data to ensure that land managers have clear guidance for how to support healthy populations of rare species. (Fant, Kramer, POC, Casanova-Urbana, …
Type: Research
… good place to start *Paint Permanent marker Newspaper or work surface *Any paint will do—look for nontoxic options that are safe for children and environmentally friendly. Sidewalk chalk is another great option. Instructions: …
Type: Blog
… The black-and-white warblers ( Mniotilta varia ) can be seen hopping along branches looking for insects. Photo © Carol Freeman After delighting in the abundance of birds for a few hours, I slowly made my way back to my car, choosing to walk under the amazing … you will see this many warblers in a day, there is always something to see, and the fun part for me is never knowing just what might show up. Last week it was a white-eyed vireo ( Vireo …
Type: Blog
… sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ‘Panache’) With that in mind, here are five simple secrets for seed-starting success 1. Quality seed starter. Give your seeds a healthy jump start by … before filling with starting mix. 4. The right light. A strong light source is crucial for stimulating plant growth. Without it, plants turn leggy, making them weak and more … in years past, only to have them dry out and wither before you know it? You may be a candidate for a simple capillary mat/self-watering system. After filling pots with seed starting mix, set …
Type: Blog
… While it may be true that one person at the party really likes kale, it’s hardly fair for the preferences of that person to supersede everyone else’s needs. In the case of buckthorn, … there in the first place) is like keeping all of the kale on the tables and not allowing for other foods to be served just for that one person. Even more frustrating, the person that likes kale has plenty of other …
Type: Blog
