… For many bonsai tree species, early spring is the best time for repotting. As the days get longer and the temperatures slowly increase, the … up into the tree branches. As this happens, the dormant buds begin to swell. This swelling is the first sign that the tree is beginning to break dormancy. Over the next few weeks, the amount of energy from the roots to …
Type: Blog
… just as much as the tree and the pot have a relationship. The tree-to-pot relationship is aesthetic and functional too,” said Chris Baker, curator of bonsai at the Chicago Botanic … important considerations. In the art of bonsai, the relationship between tree and container is equally important. It’s all about the discipline of pairing, according to Baker. All images … below, courtesy of Chris Baker. A crabapple tree in the Garden’s bonsai collection. “This is a deciduous tree so it has a glazed pot. The color works well with the white and pink blooms.” …
Type: Blog
… The very cosmopolitan painted lady (Vanesa cardui) Cosmopolitan— In this case, a cosmopolitan is not a mixed drink or a well-traveled individual—although this term is related to being in many geographic locations. "Cosmopolitan" describes a butterfly species that is found worldwide. The painted lady is considered cosmopolitan; it is found on every continent …
Type: Blog
… Fragrance is one of the benefits of a garden that is often overlooked. Lots of thought is given to plants’ textures, colors, seasonality, sizes—all … Lonicera flava honeysuckle is a fragrant and hardy variety. Photo via southeasternflora.com. Tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa , is a nonhardy (for us) bulb from northern Mexico with an …
Type: Blog
… Compared to photographing flowers outside, photographing in the Greenhouses is much more challenging and darker than you think. With a limited depth of field, I chose to … Freeman It may be bright outside, but the light in the Chicago Botanic Garden's Greenhouses is being filtered through glass and other plant material; be aware that it is even darker on … can push the ISO and still get images I find pleasing. It's best to do this before you are on-site, so you will be able to review the images on a large screen and know what will be acceptable …
Type: Blog
… orchid roots. A traditional winter drink in the cafés and restaurants of Turkey, salep is made from the tuberous roots of orchids—specifically, terrestrial orchids in the genus Orchis . Dried and powdered, the resulting flour is combined in a drink mix with other ingredients, much as hot chocolate or chai spices would be: … cinnamon, and vanillin (the main flavor component in vanilla) are added. A warm cup of salep is perfect on a wintry day. The instructions are hot-chocolate simple, too: mix 1½ tablespoons of …
Type: Blog
… the changes in projected species distributions between now and 2080. The goal of the research is to help BLM to make informed management decisions regarding rare plants. The research takes … southwestern North America. In this exceptional genus, dwarf bear-poppy ( Arctomecon humilis ) is the rarest — and perhaps most remarkable — species, due to its profusion of delicate white flowers and unique habitat. In many ways, the dwarf bear-poppy is a poster child for rare plant conservation. It is restricted to a small area in southwestern …
Type: Blog
… a pretty face. Dodecatheon meadia : A Must-see of the Prairie Question: Which one of these is NOT a common name for this handsome spring ephemeral? Shooting star Prairie pointer Prairie primrose Roosterheads Pride of Ohio Answer: Shooting star is the most common name for this species, at least in the Midwest. The plant’s myriad arching … protruding from the central core of the anthers creates a perfect pointer. Prairie primrose is not a common name, but one that I created. Not very colorful, but this could very easily be a …
Type: Blog
… The fourth of July is upon us, and while many beautiful flowers can be found in patriotic shades of red and white, the color blue is very difficult to find at the Garden. In fact, blue is a rare sight in the entire natural world. Less than ten percent of the plant kingdom …
Type: Blog
… the Prairie Series Rosa setigera , or Illinois rose, grows in moist prairies and thickets, and is a typical wild rose in many ways: five pink petals, with lots of yellow stamens in the center supported by prickly stems. There are distinct differences, however. Illinois rose is larger than most wild roses of the prairies—often growing up to 8 feet tall, while others … five leaflets. Its multiple styles (female flower parts that support the stigma, where pollen is delivered from insect pollinators) are united instead of separated in most wild roses. There …
Type: Blog
