… take a moment to look across the lakes toward the new Plant Science Center building. Inside is the Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank. There, seeds arrive from the rare remaining … of our incredibly diverse prairie communities. As you enter Dixon Prairie, consider that it is a re-creation rather than a restoration — it was built completely from scratch. Construction … Conservation = Teaching the Next Generation Past the horticulture greenhouses on your right is the Outdoor Classroom. From the schoolchildren who attend programs here to the graduate …
Type: Walks
… Chrysanthemum is Japanese, She's a fine lady, if you please. She comes to see us once a year, about the time … in the fall. The History of Mums As traditionally American as they may seem, the chrysanthemum is actually a Chinese immigrant. Cultivated as an herb in China for more than 3,500 years, the chrysanthemum represents nobility and is considered one of the four gentlemen: the pure and defiant recluse that represents fall. For a …
Type: Plant Info
… finished blooming. Trees are going dormant and preparing to drop their leaves. But this beauty is just getting started. The only thing that isn't lovely about this plant is its name: the toad lily. You can see why the mottled coloration of the flowers might remind … also has its green leaves intriguingly streaked with gold. Tips Toad lilies need soil that is rich in organic matter, part- to full shade and consistent moisture, according to Boyce …
Type: Plant Info
… what colors they turn in fall. Then take the next step: have a critical look at your own yard. Is it time to plant a tree or shrub? If so, what kind might be right for your yard, and what fall … when there's wind in those willows. Just past the Visitor Center bridge, the Crescent Garden is lined with weeping willows by the water, which is where willows like to be. Katsura trees ( Cercidiphyllum magnificum , or Cercidiphyllum …
Type: Plant Info
… One of the most nutritious, ornamental and anticipated early spring vegetables is asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis ). This Mediterranean native has just 20 calories a serving, … century. Close up of asparagus spear Asparagus officinalis ' Jersey Shore' Growing Asparagus is a sun-loving, hardy, long-lived perennial with creeping rhizomes and upright stems that appear … years for a planting to become mature. Since asparagus plants can live for more than 20 years, site them where they can grow undisturbed, such as at the end or border of a vegetable garden. …
Type: Plant Info
… but many seeds come equipped with mechanisms that stall germination until the time is right. Without the inhibitors in the gel sack, nothing would prevent a tomato seed from germinating within the fruit while it is still on the parent plant. When a ripe tomato falls off the plant, it sits on the ground and … dry. Spread the seeds on a glass or ceramic pan and allow them to dry out completely. There is an alternate method. Put the seeds with a little bit of water in a sieve and run cool water …
Type: Plant Info
… unfilled niches and open soil, allowing sunlight to directly reach the ground. Any bare soil is a welcome mat for seeds—just look at any empty lot where weeds fill the cracks. In the summer, … to improve the soil by adding organic matter. How to Mulch While a light blanket of mulch is a good thing, piling on more than 4 inches is not necessary and can be harmful. Keep all mulch several inches away from tree trunks and …
Type: Plant Info
… Field trip workshops must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance; full payment is due at time of scheduling. Select a workshop topic at checkout. Please call our field trip … questions: (847) 835-6801 Maximum class size per program: 25 students, 8 adults (1:5 ratio is preferred) Grades preK – 12 Learning Center Workshop Offerings: Grades preK – K: Discovering … you to figure out why. NGSS: K-ESS2-2, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS2-1 Grades 2 – 4: Flower Lab What is the reason for a flower, and how does it do its job? Become scientists, doing a guided flower …
Type: Item Detail
… Native to the southeastern United States, blue star ( Amsonia tabernaemontana ) is a herbaceous perennial member of the dogbane (Apocynaceae) family that is hardy in the Chicago area. Often found growing streamside in sandy or gravelly soils, blue … has pale blue flowers in summer, followed by golden-yellow fall color. This species of amsonia is the most widely grown at the Chicago Botanic Garden. How can a native of the Southeast be …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… to harvest fresh berries from your own backyard? If so, this class will show you how easy it is to successfully grow berry fruits. You will learn how to choose the best varieties, select and prepare a site, and use proper planting and pruning techniques, as well as understand other maintenance …
Type: Item Detail
