… language, and learn new skills. For scientists, patterns are also clues that something deeper is at work. “Nature is inherently random, so patterns indicate either selective pressures or a predictable process, … insects to attract hopeful mates. The butterfly orchid ( Psychopsis papilio ), for instance, is shaped, spotted, and named for its pollinator. Look for pollinator-attracting patterns at the …
Type: Blog
… community engagement manager, will be there to show people how to use the Budburst app, which is available on iOS or Android . The event, which starts at 11 a.m., includes a guided walk … —really just anyone who has an interest in plants. That’s usually the entry point.” Fall is a great time to observe changes in the woods, said Matt Evans, the Garden’s managing ecologist … fun and interesting near you, take a picture, try to identify it, and let us know what you see—is this the beginning of leaf color change or the end? Are the leaves falling off the tree yet? …
Type: Blog
… our gardens during the great fall migration. Among these fascinating and colorful creatures is the ruby-throated hummingbird, which travels through the Chicago area in great numbers during … there are as many as 25 species of hummingbirds in the United States, the ruby-throated is the only hummingbird regularly found east of the Mississippi River. During the summer, they … that glistens in the sunlight. In shade, the throat appears black while the female’s throat is white. The birds weigh slightly less than a penny but when they’re beefing up during …
Type: Plant Info
… or attracting butterflies. They can help children discover nature. And…creating a theme garden is just plain fun. Here’s a look at some popular planting themes. Of all the creatures that … the size of a thumbnail—that are just as fun to attract and to watch. A butterfly garden is simply one that offers nectar for the adults and certain plants for their caterpillars. Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid that butterflies, bees, and other pollinators rely on for energy. Each …
Type: Plant Info
… “decorating” with plants, but it’s an opportunity to use them as displays, whether your style is minimalist, cottage, formal, funky, or vintage. There’s the beauty of a fern with its delicate … for their parlors, has become popular once again—but for a different reason. The foliage is dramatic and looks like contemporary sculpture. There are several species and cultivars, but … thrive on neglect, take up little room, and are quite stunning. Aspidistra Cast-iron plant is another oldie-but-goodie. Hardy and long-lived, aspidistra was a common houseplant in England …
Type: Plant Info
… Peas Radishes June sun warms the soil Beans Cucumbers Squash The back of the seed packet is a wonderful place to find information on how to plant. For most of the above, simply hoe a … basic (pH), which fertilizer it needs. Our Plant Information Service sums it up nicely. Here is the link for you to access soil testing services . Once you know more about your garden’s … Mother Nature or your hose. Healthy soil, as discussed above. An occasional weeding. That weed is stealing the nutrients that you want to be in your vegetables—pull it, by hand, when it’s …
Type: Plant Info
… much joy and satisfaction, but the blooms never last as long as you would like. My first urge is to take pictures. But there is another way to preserve this ephemeral beauty: drying flowers. If you’ve walked through the … A great native flower to try. The blue flowers stay true. Lady’s mantle: In most cases, it is best to remove the leaves before drying—lady’s mantle is the exception. Sunflowers: …
Type: Blog
… This class is a continuing practice designed to be taken in multiple, consecutive sessions. It explores ways …
Type: Item Detail
… New! Watercolor is perfect for winter: crisp white paper, long crystalline-blue shadows, landscapes transformed …
Type: Item Detail
… traveling in a flock of common redpolls or goldfinches and siskins. This rare visitor is most likely to be found in alders or birches in winter feeding on seeds in cones and catkins. …
Type: Birding
