… Various methods for controlling the land were implemented over time, resulting finally in the 1960s in a degraded wetland, then owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Chicago Botanic … with the intention to create a land acknowledgment geographically specific to the 385 acres in Glencoe, Illinois, on which the Garden sits. The staff team responsible for developing the …
Type: Blog
… When the sun begins to shine brighter in late April and the day temperatures reach into the 50s, Chicagoans become eager to reunite … crops such as lettuce, spinach, radicchio, endive, and many more tolerate, and even thrive in, cooler climates. Salads were once an afterthought in American diets, consisting of a few leaves of iceberg lettuce and a slice of tomato. Today, …
Type: Plant Info
… flowers, or 'hops', of the common garden hop ( Humulus lupulus ) were the main calming agents in 'sleepy pillows', used to treat insomnia and headaches until the late 19th century. And mixing … considered to make a good sedative. Today, these dried female flowers are a main ingredient in beer production. Their bitter, resinous properties dilute the heavy malted barley taste. … will weigh less. Native to the Northern temperate region, hop vines can twine up to 25 feet in a single season, quickly filling in fences, bowers or arbors. The only physical features of …
Type: Plant Info
… amphibians, and reptiles combined! Can you guess how many more eyes they have than humans? In addition to the two most prominent, there are three eyes on top of their heads just for … facts we have learned about bees, but the most critically important one is their role in pollination. Busy Pollinators Smart gardeners know that it's the presence of pollinators that makes the difference in the health, fertility, and productivity of wild plants, food plants, and landscape plants …
Type: Plant Info
… then loaded into volunteers’ cars. Soon after, the boxes arrive at the Roberti Community House in nearby Waukegan. From grower to giver, this lifeline is set in motion each Wednesday to help feed the neediest families. “Many of our families are living … including bread, avocadoes, oranges, yogurt, and mangoes, for example. Some produce is used in the Roberti House’s Culinary Pathway program, a workforce training program. And they also …
Type: Blog
… Q. How do I mulch in preparation for the winter? A. There are some things to remember when preparing to mulch for the upcoming winter months. If you mulched in the spring, check to see how much mulch is left. If needed, add more mulch to a depth of 2 to … lead to rotting. It also provides shelter to rodents, which can cause damage to woody plants in the winter months. Add the mulch once the ground is frozen, not before. Mulching helps to …
Type: Plant Info
… Q. As the snow in my garden melts, there appears to be something wrong with my evergreen shrubs. They look … and what can I do about it? A. As the snow begins to melt at this time of the year, plants in our gardens are exposed to browsing animals. This winter’s excessive snowfall completely … not entirely reliable, repellents may be a helpful deterrent. If this is a common occurrence in your garden, you may want to consider installing plants less favored by deer. …
Type: Plant Info
… time of the year to spray my garden for insects? A. Before you consider using any pesticide in your garden, you must first determine if the insects found in your garden are actually causing harm. Many insects found in our gardens are beneficial. Beneficial insects are important for many different reasons. Some …
Type: Plant Info
… temperatures of 60–65 degrees Fahrenheit with daytime temperatures about ten degrees higher. In summer, place your gardenia plant outdoors in a part-sun location, avoiding midday sun. In winter, provide the plant with bright light and a little direct sun. The soil should be kept …
Type: Plant Info
… Colchicum flowers. This plant is also offered under the cultivar name of 'Jaroslavna'. Plant in full sun and moist but well drained soils. Divide when the clumps of corms have become so … up to the surface of the soil. Interplant corms with companion plants that begin growth late in the season to accommodate the luxuriant spring foliage and that provide a backdrop for the flowers in Fall. Examples include cultivars of Heuchera , Phlox paniculata , Hylotelephium spectabile , …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
