… With spring’s arrival, one can’t help but daydream about greener pastures, or in my case, lawns. … are some things to do in April and May. Spring Lawn Tips 1. Rake Rake up debris from the lawn with a stiff metal rake. Using a stiff metal leaf rake, go through your lawn and rake up any … works best. If your area is a mixture of part shade and part sun, then you would want to go with a mixture of the three types of grasses. Scratch up the area so that you get all of the …
Type: Blog
… resilience, their hunting prowess, their enchantment (even you, Venus flytrap). We ended up with a list of charismatic plants; feel free to co-opt for your own bucket list. Great Basin … structure, but rather unique in the United States. If you’ve ever seen any nature documentary with Japanese macaques (snow monkeys…you know, the ones that bathe in the hot springs and live in … is the basis of all forests in Hawaii, and has beautiful mo`olelo (stories/legends) associated with it, including one about spirits of the forest who immortalize two young lovers with eternal …
Type: Blog
… features blue flowers, which is extraordinary, since pollinators don’t seem to have a problem with them. Scientists have been investigating the origins of blue flowers for a long time, and it was not until recently that they came up with a result. Blue sea holly ( Eryngium planum ) Flower colors are based on pigments that … to steer blue, complex scenarios must occur. Most often, metal atoms and ions interact with the pigment to modify the color. In addition, they alter the pH of cellular fluids to be …
Type: Blog
… from various fields. “People bring different expertise to a research project, and people with different areas of expertise ask different questions or think about things differently,” … great international collaborator.” In his presentation, Dr. Mueller addressed his experiences with international collaborations and offered advice to attendees. Collaboration is key to … solutions. Often these approaches are best identified and pursued by a team of individuals with unique specialties, who at times may just happen to be sitting on opposite coasts of an …
Type: Blog
… can often introduce youngsters and adults to bird-watching. Its telltale black cap and throat with white cheeks makes it easy to identify. Photo © Carol Freeman The black-capped chickadee is … pair once built a nest in an old shoe hanging from a line. The female builds a cup-shaped nest with moss for the foundation, lining it with rabbit fur or other soft material. She has one brood each year, laying an average of seven …
Type: Blog
… Garden phlox are generally hardy plants and will grow well in sun or shade. Plant in midspring with a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture for maximum flower production. Switchgrass … as they are native to tallgrass prairies in the United States. Cultivars are variable in color with red to light golden blooms and deep green to blue blades. Switchgrasses are low maintenance … on the species, Callicarpa can have shiny white or bright purple berries—both are a big hit with birds. All species have long, arching branches that cascade outward but with pruning, the …
Type: Blog
… spicy recipes will taste bland again. Fear not! You can preserve that color and flavor easily with pickled peppers! But even Peter Piper couldn’t pick a peck of them. You have to pickle them … remove the skin now by blistering the outside of the pepper on the grill, in the oven, or with the broiler. Once the skin is blistered on all sides, let the pepper cool and the skin will … (Mason® or Ball® jars work great). Wash them well, then heat them in the dishwasher or fill with boiling water until the glass is hot. Pour out water just before you fill them with peppers …
Type: Blog
… low-stakes death firsthand. Gardeners know that even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with our harvest, she doesn’t let us down. Nature is generally consistent, and when it isn’t, it … and my friends. In early January, I listened closely to a National Public Radio interview with former NHL goalie Clint Malarchuk, who spoke openly and confidently about his own personal … Garden Edinburgh. The essay can be read here , but I think it is important to share a bit with you: “It’s a long row to hoe” were the first words that came into my mind one morning. The …
Type: Blog
… a staff of ten permanent and 43 seasonal workers. Baker has a bachelor's of science degree with honors in agronomy and horticulture from the University of Arizona. She also has completed … Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona; and the Arizona Native Plant Society, where she fell in love with the public garden world. From there, she had an internship at the Desert Museum and later … stream bank zone into a prairie and wetland demonstration garden. Baker has been involved with many projects, events, and classes at the Garden since 1988. She is a regular guest on the …
Type: Staff bio
… at the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Soulsby has been honored with the Garden's Employee of Distinction award and as an Outstanding College First Mentor. … and Spider Island. He manages detailed, complex horticulture projects and collaborates with Garden designers on exhibitions such as The Orchid Show, as well as other seasonal program … Garden Rose Selections™ rose evaluation program, as well as a rose evaluation collaborator with Star® Rose and Plants. …
Type: Staff bio
