… Garden’s Plant Health Care department. “Other plants—viburnum and forsythia—were killed to the 1-foot line. That’s how deep the snow was.” In spite of the terrible winter, with temperatures on … on the bottom 1 foot of the plants. It was much more devastating than we thought.” Tiddens is anticipating a lot of disease this year because of the peculiar conditions. “We’ve had … conditions and cultural practices possible. When buying new plants, match the plant to the site . If you have a spot in sun with heavy clay soil, a shade-loving plant like a hosta will …
Type: Plant Info
… await you at nearly every turn. A perfect way to experience the lush abundance of the season is with a walk around the Garden’s 2.6-mile perimeter. Whether enjoying panoramic scenes or … a prairie, and a river. So put on your walking shoes, and let’s begin! A good place to start is on the north end of the Garden by the Learning Campus, conveniently located near parking lots … CBG, along with their counselors, busy exploring or, at midday, resting in the shade. Nearby is a service road with a gate that bars all but official Garden vehicles; follow this road as it …
Type: Walks
… are often linked to helping the plight of bees and other important pollinators . Many natives get the nod for their drought tolerance, low maintenance, and disease or pest resistance, as well as their attractive features. There are more than 1,600 native plant species in the greater Chicago region. Many now are available at garden … garden designs. And, native trees and shrubs offer nesting sites and food for many birds. What IS a native plant? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a native plant “is a plant …
Type: Plant Info
… longest night of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. Have you noticed that the sunlight is weak and the skies are often somber? Freezing temperatures, the possibility of snow, and cabin … using these aromatic workhorses, fresh or dried, home grown or store bought. They’re sure to get you through the long winter months ahead.  DIY Herbal Facial Steam Take time out for an herbal facial. First, wash your face. Place dried or fresh herbs (1 tablespoon of lavender, rosemary, mint or chamomile) in a large heat-proof bowl and slowly pour …
Type: Plant Info
… In August, when the jewelweed and cardinal flowers bloom, the ruby-throated hummingbird is migrating. It’s perfect timing, because the hummingbirds get energy for their journey southward by sipping nectar from the blossoms of these plants native … trying to hoard the food to themselves. To make hummingbird food, add ¼ cup white sugar to 1 cup boiled distilled water. Stir to dissolve, then cool before you put it into the feeder. It’s …
Type: Blog
… in science to pursue careers in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math. Divine, who is from the Chicago neighborhood of Ashburn, will be a freshman at Lindblom Math and Science … rooted in the books she read as a child. Divine has always loved reading and would sometimes get in trouble for it. The books she doesn't want to put down even today are cosmos-related or … in science also started at an early age. He likes the rigors of science—following steps to get the results that show you what may or may not be the problem. Last year, Alexis’s passion for …
Type: Blog
… Why Best for the Midwest is Best for the Planet Think twice before you plant those flowers! Are they a native species that … are not left with a monoculture. Much of our research in the Garden and in our Midwest region is studying how habitat degradation, invasive species, and other disturbances change plant and … practices help to combat global warming by reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). How? One way is through limiting the use of lawn equipment. In addition, native plants help to reduce the …
Type: Plant Info
… Winter is always a good time to slip into a chair with some hot chocolate and do a little reading. A … Staff Favorites Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, is immersed in garden history this winter. She’s reading The History of Horticulture in America … it comes to garden magazines, Pollak says, “I definitely love The English Garden. I always get inspired with every issue, for both plant choices and design ideas in every article. The …
Type: Plant Info
… Madame Dahlia, like her name, is a very stately dame; Her family is so polite, it is a joy to meet them, quite. —Elizabeth … steals the show like a dahlia. In its home in Mexico, the dahlia’s flower grew no larger than 1 to 2 inches across. But when the plant spread to Europe in the 1800s, the Dutch breeders got to … Avoid windy sites—nothing breaks the heart of a gardener more than a snapped flower stalk. To get a jump-start on the growing season, start tubers indoors in late March (to be transplanted …
Type: Plant Info
… to the side of a wall or fence and let it reveal other parts of the garden. Placed in a shady site, the mirror will lighten things up. Group It Not using those old colorful bowling balls? … outdoor art and what some might consider strange odds and ends plunked down among the plants. Get crafty Paint your garden with your own creations. Classes at the Garden’s Regenstein School … can teach you to make beautiful mosaics like these below made by Gloria Ciaccio.  Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos Park, Illinois. …
Type: Plant Info
