… , probably caught your eye, and its peculiar perfume tickled your nose. It was also swarming with flying insects. The odor was not lovely and sweet. I would describe it as similar to musty, … at the Chicago Botanic Garden recently. 1. Carpenter bee Carpenter bees are often confused with bumble 2. Mason bee Mason bees are in the Megachile family. The are also known as leaf-cutter bees. This mason bee has filled the "pollen baskets" on its hind legs with pollen from the eryngo, and they are now swollen and bright yellow. Pollen is also sticking …
Type: Blog
… very few exceptions in healthy living plants, and most of the exceptions are partially green with red, yellow, orange, or white patterns; or they look white, but upon closer inspection they … But every once in a while, a completely white seedling sprouts from a seed. This happened with some basil I grew a few years ago. The green and albino seedlings came up at the same time, … green pigment necessary for photosynthesis—this seedling was doomed. That is the case with all albino plants. The gene mutation that gives rise to albino plants is fatal to the plant, …
Type: Blog
… diet. The red fruit was hidden under the leaves. So if you try this activity, and you stick with it for six months, you, too, may be rewarded with a little treasure! …
Type: Blog
… As Curator of Aquatics I work with the Assistant Ecologist, Lakes and the team of Aquatic Seasonals to maintain our lake … areas fascinating to maintain and a great environment to test shoreline management strategies with use of native plantings and integrative pest management techniques. I’m also interested in …
Type: Staff bio
… Hey, Chicago. It finally feels better outside. Everyone breathe a sigh of relief with me. Sigh. We made it. Now that it’s officially patio season, it’s time to get out and enjoy … shade, so she can’t even grow vegetables. My apartment has an eastern exposure back stairwell, with mostly shade and some indirect morning light. Here’s what she says about putting my plants … just for us humans. Plants can get scorched, too. Don’t put them in blazing sunlight. Porches with shade are prime locations for orchids and birds of paradise plants. The outdoors makes your …
Type: Blog
… of the food we eat. Download the PDF (11″x17″) of this placemat. As you enjoy a meal with friends and family, take a moment to say thanks for the little things that make such a big … who pollinated them. Instructions: Click on the image above to download our placemat to enjoy with your feast. The ideal printing size is tabloid (11 x 17 inches). Letter size paper (8.5 x 11 …
Type: Blog
… We recently toured the Greenhouses with Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation, to see what’s in bloom and take in … to Panama and Costa Rica, as one of his favorites. The Semitropical Greenhouse was filled with blooms like pinkball dombeya ( Dombeya wallichii ). Native to East Africa and Madagascar, …
Type: Blog
… or at least make their lives easier. For the most part, birds are perfectly capable of dealing with the weather and finding food. Most of the birds that are not able to cope have long since … The type of feeder can limit the size and types of birds you want to feed. Tubular feeders with small (or no) perches tend to prevent large birds from accessing the food. Tubular thistle … This is particularly important for tubular feeders, where birds are in much closer contact with the feeder. Washing with a weak bleach solution periodically is recommended. What kind of …
Type: Blog
… Garden , I’ve got some ideas on evergreen perennials you can plant to brighten up the winter with bits of green, silver, mahogany, and more. Breaking down evergreen perennials First, some … about adding them in places that you frequent in the winter, such as near a front door. Shrubs with evergreen foliage or colorful twigs make great companions to evergreen perennials and help … want in the spring, when nurseries are freshly stocked. Here are some of the best perennials with evergreen foliage for the Chicago area: Winter: Bergenia cordifolia ‘Winterglut’’ Summer: …
Type: Blog
… herbs a cinch, I use an herb drying rack. You can also dry mint by tying it into a bundle with string and hanging it upside down. Honey Lemon Mint Tea This tea recipe can be served iced … less tangy and acidic—but it does provide a nice grassy, mild lemon profile. Packed with antioxidants, it is good for heart health and blood pressure, boosts immunity, and may even … and is ready to mix into ice water. To make the iced tea: Add the remaining 4 cups of water with ice to the concentrate along with lime juice and chill. German Chamomile An herb that …
Type: Blog
