… or passionflower. On Bridgerton , masses of lush wisteria are twining everywhere—a metaphor for all of the romantic entanglements? Artistic license? No judgments. But alas, senior … Heather Sherwood notes that, in the Chicago area, the lovely vines typically bloom for only three to four weeks in June. We do love that the show’s main characters—the duke, Simon Basset, and Daphne Bridgerton—share their first kiss in a garden. For a flirtatious conversation piece in the English Walled Garden, look for the tulips ‘Sensual …
Type: Blog
… Growing Weekend. We spoke to her about her potted paradise design. Q: Describe your process for designing your container. What makes a good container? A: One of the things I’m always … look quite different. You have to think in advance about plants growing to varying heights. For instance, I always like to have something that hangs over the sides of the container, like … work well in a container? A: I always like to use a simple color palette in containers. For this one, it’s all about shades of purple, black, and green. It makes for a more effective …
Type: Blog
… Take a break from the news and ease your stress with soothing plants that bring calm, comfort, and peace of mind. These … wore boutonnières and corsages when going out on dates. Keep gardenia in a sun-filled window for your very own oasis of calm and relaxation. Lavender Lavender has long been cultivated for medicinal uses and is popular in indoor and outdoor gardens for its aromatic fragrance. The …
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 … ,and ‘Half-long Guernsey’. Parsnips germination can be a bit fussy, so here’s the our strategy for sowing: Plant fresh seed. Parsnip seed viability is short, so plant only newly purchased … As a secret ingredient in mashed potatoes Or as my chef-friend Brad does, make parsnip cakes for a light main meal or delightful side dish. Here’s the recipe he knows it by heart: Boil …
Type: Blog
… We love nature here at the Chicago Botanic Garden, so we looked to the natural world for inspiration on how to enjoy the eclipse— here at the Garden , or in your own backyard. On … Shore Other ideas: Use everyday objects that already have holes—like colanders or crackers, for example—or by punching a hole in a piece of cardboard or other sturdy material. If you want a … it was still strong enough to mess with the way shadows appear to the naked eye. This made for some amazing patterns and changing shapes under the Garden’s trees. If you want to experience …
Type: Blog
… less concerned about plants that just fade into obscurity because then they just provide room for something new and exciting to take their place. Now that the garden is being less dramatic, … compiling data instead of gathering it. Part of this process includes writing year-end reports for our cooperators: those breeders, distributors, or other entities that have given us their … interested to know if this could be used in a design setting to play off plants that bloom for shorter periods and could complement the distinct colors of either the new or old blooms. …
Type: Blog
… as the number of species and their habitats, but where they naturally occur provides clues for how to grow them in cultivation. Luckily, the vast orchid literature available often includes … are a brilliant red to orange-red with some yellow and/or orange in the small lip. Look for forms with flat flowers and broad overlapping petals. They are always a draw in bloom. … the summer. Cool temperatures are optimal, with nights as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit (I aim for around 52-degree nights) and day temperatures no higher than 86 degrees in the summer. …
Type: Blog
… can use mushrooms found growing outside or buy them from the market. When selecting mushrooms for spore prints, look for these things: The cap should be fully open with the gills exposed The gills should look good, … mushroom They should look like mushrooms you want to eat This portobello mushroom is good for making spore prints. This shiitake mushroom may be a little old—notice the brown spots on the …
Type: Blog
… “Plant physiologists have understood the environmental factors that lead to fall color for many years. However, each of the 1,391 different taxa of trees and 2,319 taxa of shrubs here … own genetics, and, of course, the weather. A warm and dry September can mean a late start for color. Don’t miss a chance to see the full palette of fall color at the Chicago Botanic … fall walk or use our virtual guide: our Garden Guide app . Check out our infographic below for the full fall story in living color. Want to share our infographic? Download a print version …
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… Welcome to winter, one of the best seasons for gardeners. You have time to plan, prune, and enjoy those houseplants that don’t get much love … east- or north-facing windows may benefit from being moved to a southern or western exposure for winter. DON’T try to remove ice or snow that has frozen onto your outdoor plants. You might inadvertently damage them. Let it melt off on its own. DO start to plan your garden for the new year. Order seeds and bulbs during the winter so you’ll be ready to plant in the …
Type: Blog
