… partnership with the Friends of the Chicago River and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. It is viewable from the North Branch Trail near Dundee Road. Now, as the earth awakens from winter, … ecologist, lakes and shorelines. “Some data suggests that once a pole is occupied it tends to have a nest the following year.” The osprey is at risk of disappearing as a breeding … Ospreys are fish-eating raptors that migrate south, and winter from the southern United States to South America. They are often seen during their migrations, yet few remain in Illinois to …
Type: Blog
… Q. I would like to grow asparagus. How do I get started? A. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable crop that can be planted as soon as the ground is workable in the … fleshy stems with established roots. You can start asparagus by seed, but that will add a year to the establishment of the bed. Plant the crowns in trenches that are at least 10 inches wide …
Type: Plant Info
… for their flowers which appear in late winter or early spring and are often the first flowers to appear in the Chicago garden. The purple Christmas rose hellebore is native to the Carpathian mountains of central Europe where it grows in full sun in open grassy … cool, moist soils with a high organic content but are very adaptable requiring only that the site be well-drained. Typically they are planted in woodland settings under deciduous trees where …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The white oak is the state tree of Illinois. It was the dominant tree in the oak savannas common in … leaves for an extended period, often into the winter. Fall color varies with year from brown to a wine-red. This majestic oak is noted for its longevity, with trees over 300 years old not … The genus Quercus includes more than 600 species of the oak tree, of which 90 are native to North America; the Chicago Botanic Garden's collection contains more than 60 varieties and …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… PRINCETON SENTRY® Ginkgo is a large tree selected for its upright conical form. It is a male clone, which will not produce … will develop into upright narrowly pyramidal shaped tree. With increased age, it will mature to a large 50' by 30' tree. Its narrow shape makes it work well as a street tree but, due to its ultimate mature height, should not be planted under power lines. The Ginkgo is an ancient …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Ginkgo, introduced by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation, Inc. in San Martin, California, is a male clone that will not produce the distinctive smelly fruit. It has unusually large and … and resemble a fish-tail palm leaf. These unusual leaves give an overall lacy appearance to the foliage. Saratoga Ginkgo has symmetrical branching and matures into full, dense, pyramidal … form. It is slightly smaller than other selections, but not a dwarf. It is about one-half to two-thirds the size of the Autumn Gold Ginkgo. Saratoga Ginkgo has the typical outstanding …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… 'Sun Stream' is a small Ginkgo with green and yellow variegated leaves. The yellow stripes on the leaves are irregular and fade to a cream as the leaf matures. It is reported that this variegated form shows less tendency toward reversion to an all green leaf, which has been a problem with past variegated forms. Sun Stream Ginkgo was …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… number of genera, each with its own unique characteristics. A common characteristic, however, is the basic form of the flower, which consists of three petals surrounded by three sepals -- … and contrasting colors and in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some orchids are native to temperate zones, most orchids tend to prefer a semi-tropical or tropical environment (USDA Zones 9-11) and have epiphytic roots -- …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… of them overlooked by nature lovers and gardeners alike, simply because “it's just too cold to go outside.” Perhaps that's true when the windchill dips to threatening levels or the snow blows sideways; but when the air is clear and calm, and the sun gleams off the snow, it's time to take pleasure in the private …
Type: Walks
… These foods were not only tasty but very nutritious. In this class you will learn how to prepare fermented foods such as sauerkraut, berries, and cultured salsa. Tamara Mannelly will share tips to get your whole family to enjoy these foods (yes…even the little ones). Bring a pint-sized mason jar and lid to make and …
Type: Item Detail
