… a prescribed burn in Dixon Prairie. Fire burns through dead leaves and stems, opening space for native plants to grow from seed, nourished by the charred plant material and increased … areas.” That’s because periodic fires—ignited by lightning and set by Indigenous Peoples for hunting, managing resources, and more—shaped the Chicago area’s woodlands, wetlands, and … against them,” said Jim Jabcon, prairie ecologist at the Garden. Fire is an effective tool for keeping natural areas healthy because, over time, the cycle of burning, spreading native …
Type: Blog
… is just plain fun. Here’s a look at some popular planting themes. Of all the creatures that visit our gardens, butterflies are certainly the most exotic and magical. On warm summer days, … 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 …
Type: Plant Info
… As the days get shorter, you might be looking for off-the-beaten paths where you can soak up the rest of the season. I’ve got just the place for you—the Barbara Brown Nature Reserve. Tucked away on the Chicago Botanic Garden’s southeast … I’m always puzzled that so few people have discovered it. Here are just a few reasons to visit: The color purple—and more The fall colors are amazing—purple asters, yellow goldenrods, …
Type: Blog
… at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “It’s really cool to see how there’s a cult-like following for this plant.” The scientist’s mail bins overflowed with leaves of native pawpaw trees. … from the seeds Pawpaw trees in Ithaca, New York, in the fall The plant has been around for millions of years, and has been used for centuries by Native Americans and others as food and … but can be found as far west as eastern Nebraska. Learn more about the pawpaw growing range, visit the related Plant Information page. “It will be interesting to see where our research …
Type: Blog
… to name a few. Plus, winter has the bonus of birds that actually migrate to our area just for the winter. Some migrants you will see every year are juncos, tree sparrows, and a variety of … what you will find on any given day. That is why I go out every chance I get! Before your next visit check out our list of birds that you can expect to see at the Garden each season. A … of birds—especially woodpeckers—in the McDonald Woods. If there is open water, check there for ducks and geese. You might be surprised at just how many birds you can find in winter. What a …
Type: Blog
… landfills, and facilities that burn everyone’s trash are out-of-sight, out-of-mind topics for many. But, it all stays right here. On planet Earth. The amount of waste—including food … process. There are compost bins that sit on the ground and have slots in the sides for aeration and a lid to keep out animals. Or you can make your own three-sided bin out of … critters. The smaller particles create more surface area on which they can feed. I’m thankful for these tiny workers who are transforming my kitchen scraps into black gold. Think about doing …
Type: Blog
… as echinacea and milkweed, there is an overabundance of blooms, making it a joyful month to visit our gardens. It would be easy to draw parallels between the rainbow of summer colors and … sometimes a moth, fly, or even the wind. The diversity of pollinators might be the very reason for the diversity of flowers; more interactions beget more diversity. Regardless of the cause, … that, like flowers, people also come in all types, forms, and expressions. June was chosen for Pride Month to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969, which happened during a …
Type: Blog
… to its demise at the turn of the twentieth century, when these and other waders were hunted for their feathery plumes that women wore in their hats. Since then, the great egret, standing more than 3 feet tall with a nearly 5-foot wing span, has become the symbol for the National Audubon Society, founded in part to stop these birds from being killed to … is doing well in Illinois; however, habitat loss and water pollution may threaten its future. Visit Baker’s Lake in Barrington to watch the great egret during breeding season and McGinnis …
Type: Blog
… and reds of the torch lilies, the evaluation garden will be a riot of colors and a haven for pollinators. The masterworts sulked last summer so we worried that winter might end the trial. But, after a strong start this spring, we’re hopeful for a bounty of their pincushion-like flowers in June and July. Visitors and staff were sad to … on Instagram and Facebook. Keep an eye on our social media channels, but better yet, come visit us in person. …
Type: Blog
… examine on a daily basis. The goal of the field trips is to create real-life opportunities for students to have fun with science outside of their classroom walls, said Drew Wehrle, the … together outside is part of the fun of guided field trips. Field trips are a great opportunity for outdoor fun, too. Each of the guided field trips is crafted to fulfill age-appropriate state … and can be guided or self-directed. For more information about field trips, or to sign up, visit chicagobotanic.org/fieldtrips . …
Type: Blog
