… are the features most gardeners request. And yet the gradual, long-lasting autumn leaf change is one of the most beautiful displays in the plant world. It lasts longer than any spring flower show; it’s different each year; and it occurs in fall, a quiet time when riotous color is least expected. While most of us are familiar with showy sugar maples and majestic red oaks, … in more intimate garden settings. Part of the pleasure in leaf peeping at this time of year is seeing how plants play off each other; how color combinations shift from year to year; how …
Type: Plant Info
… Science Center. Talking to our scientists, it's easy to hear about the research topics that get them excited. Former senior ecologist Jim Steffen always had lots of good spider stories. … you know: The (female) cross orbweaver spider, named for the cross on the top of her abdomen. 1. Spiders can fly. TRUE. Some spiders travel through the air by "ballooning"—sending out a … escaping. 7. Daddy long legs are spiders. FALSE. A Daddy long legs isn't a spider; although it is in the Arachnid family, it's in a separate order from spiders. All spiders have two body …
Type: Blog
… tiny external structures in their wax coating that scatter blue and ultraviolet light, which is why we see them as blue. Read on to discover more plant stories that caught our eye. … when exposed to the pulsating vibrations of hardcore rock. Wait, what? Actually, the jury is out as to whether metal is superior to Mozart for a plant-based audience. Plus, as the … The Orchid Show: India Blooms , February 8 to March 23. Move over, wine lovers. Gardeners can get quippy, too. Ever notice that wine lovers have no shortage of merchandise bearing snappy …
Type: Blog
… for the winter, they may smother your lawn, especially if it was seeded earlier this fall and is just getting established. If the ground is too soft to push a mower over, carefully rake some of the leaves off the new grass before … leaf mulch reduces soil temperatures in the summer, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. It is a valuable soil amendment and adds a finished look to garden beds. Mulched areas around trees …
Type: Plant Info
… a bit of a kick (and who doesn’t need a little jump-start during the holidays?). The recipe is simple enough to get the whole family involved. Think butter…pumpkin…toasted pecans—what’s not to like? And what … evaporated milk (5-ounce can) ½ cup canned pumpkin purée (no added sugar) 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon allspice 2¼ cups white chocolate chips 7 ounces …
Type: Blog
… spots on the 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 … In the morning, carefully lift your bowl and the individual mushrooms and see what you get. If the paper absorbed a lot of moisture from the mushrooms, it may need to dry before you … gills. Shiitake gills are not as straight and rigid as portobello gills, so you’ll get less gill definition in the print and a more wavy, swirling print. If your mushrooms are too …
Type: Blog
… in the depths of winter? With just a few adjustments to the basics. Today's temperature is… Did you know that cold outdoor weather can even affect indoor orchids? You may need to move … or add a light-filtering curtain if orchids that prefer shade are getting too much sun. There is an upside to the short days and lower light of winter: it triggers the flowering process for … too). Re: Repotting It's a FAQ in any season: How do I repot my orchid? Since a video is worth 1,000 words, check out a pair of short videos on the topic. Orchid enthusiast (and master's …
Type: Plant Info
… The flowers are gone, the trees are bare, now what to photograph? Birds, of course! Winter is a great time to get some fabulous shots of winter birds. One huge bonus is that there are no leaves on the trees … part—you never know 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 …
Type: Blog
… Even when snow is falling and temperatures plummet, I’m working on my backyard vegetable garden. I might not be … April through October. The trick is to gather what you need now and start dreaming so you can get a jump on things as soon as the weather warms. That’s what our experts do at the Chicago … to lay them out. The renewed interest in gardening lately means that seeds sell out quickly so get your order in early. One of my winter projects is to get started on crop planning. Make a …
Type: Blog
… rose (Helleborus orientalis) Hellebores are special because they bloom when little else is in flower. The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) blooms in late winter while the Lenten rose … bears clusters of white double flowers that are 2 inches wide with crimson veins and edges. It is one of more than two dozen unusual hellebore cultivars grown at the Garden. Lenten rose and …
Type: Plant Info
