… are all guilty of this unsightly phenomenon. Fortunately, there is a compact substitute for each of these bulky favorites. So, if you want to give your yard more color in autumn but … progeny of Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’. While 3 feet isn’t necessarily short for a perennial, it is definitely an improvement over its 5- to 6-foot-tall daddy. And like Henry … quit until it has fought its way through multiple frosts. Helenium s are plants perfect for rain gardens or any moist, sunny spot. Butterflies find them irresistible, too. Aconitum …
Type: Blog
… What is it, you ask? Some of the most unusual plants our Production Greenhouse team grow for our display gardens are six species of Echium, a biennial plant that produces giant spikes … into smaller pots to establish healthy root systems, before placing them in a cool greenhouse for the winter. The following spring, they are transplanted into their final growing container …
Type: Blog
… at a Time Parents and grandparents are often children’s first and most important teachers. For 15 years, I have had the pleasure of teaching families with young children at the Chicago … of space to acquire new skills like weeding, watering, and planting. All of it is about caring for something —the first step in understanding that the world is bigger than ourselves. This is … ideas and of course, asking lots of questions! Gardening also provides wonderful invitations for children and adults to solve problems together. Why didn’t the seeds grow? What can we do …
Type: Blog
… recognizable and beloved wildflowers, but there are a few things you may not know about them. For one thing, there are several wild species of Rudbeckia growing in the region and several cultivars with bigger and/or fancier flowers that have been developed for people’s gardens. My favorite, sweet black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) , is a native … cleaning this species is wonderful! Sweet black-eyed Susan is a sweet addition to any garden for several reasons: it is a native species, a long-lived perennial, adaptable to several …
Type: Blog
… quiz on just a few of the factoids that the drivers share. We know you’ll ace this (except for maybe the "Making waves..." question; there’s something a bit fishy about it). Need a … Rock steps lead to our lovely Waterfall Garden. Where did we get the stones and boulders for the steps? Wisconsin Stonehenge Lake Michigan × Wisconsin We hauled stones and boulders from … dinosaur stomachs. Ginkgo trees are among the oldest in the world. Close Game over; thanks for playing! Come take the tram tour , and you’ll soon be rattling off Garden facts like an …
Type: Blog
… was crisp, and the nights were frosty: parsnip weather. Cold weather is actually a good thing for parsnips—in fact, they need it to convert the starch in their roots to sugar, transforming … parsnips can be a bit fussy about germination. Knowing that, here’s the strategy we employ for sowing: Plant fresh seed. Parsnip seed viability is short, so plant only newly purchased …
Type: Blog
… Merian (1647–1717) was a fascinating woman, artist, and naturalist. While she was known for her watercolor paintings of flowers and insects, embroidery patterns, and copper engravings, … in the eighteenth century. Nine species of butterflies, six plants, and two beetles were named for her. She is still a well-known historic figure today and is represented on the 500 deutsche …
Type: Blog
… have survived and are unlikely to survive over the long-term. “We suspect one reason for these declines is too little genetic diversity. This species is self-incompatible, meaning … genetically different individuals remain in a population, it will not be able to produce seeds for the next generation,” said Rafael. “I hope my research will bring stakeholders together, …
Type: Research
… Want to grow your own orchids? We’ll help you choose which ones are right for you. Assistant Horticulturist Chester Jankowski provided these basics on four kinds of … Intergeneric hybrid Cattleya Cattleya come in almost every color (just not blue) and are known for their large, fragrant flowers. You might recognize them from being commonly used in orchid …
Type: Blog
… of Chicago and in Lake County. The Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden has inspired visitors for decades to grow their own vegetables. The COVID-19 health crisis has changed how we get our … plants is not feasible on the scale needed to feed our population. That presents challenges for those on the front lines of our food chain. In addition, supply chains and other economic …
Type: Blog
