… off the lawn and cutting back perennials are all fine to do now providing your garden soil is not too wet. Early flowering bulbs like snowdrops at the Chicago Botanic Garden are very … growth, they might benefit from a light layer of mulch. For the most part, though, there is nothing special for most gardeners to do in their perennial beds. Even in great weather for … have a flower bud at the ends of the stem. The dormant season, and in particular late winter, is the best time of year to complete rejuvenation pruning, which is the aggressive pruning of …
Type: Blog
… also allow for richer colors to develop. These peony stems have a deep burgundy color that is highly ornamental in an otherwise empty bed. Eventually these will grow out into large bushy … x hybridus ‘Blue Metallic Lady’ in the Thomas English Walled Garden sports new growth that is almost showier than its flowers. Of course, since it is spring, there are plenty of flowers to see. Many people associate spring with bulbs, but there …
Type: Blog
… Circle, Ring, Wreath This is a BIG wreath—great for an outdoor wall. Flint. Dent. Sweet. Flour. Pod. Pop. Regenstein Fruit … Bantam’—in a seasonless sunburst. The French saying on this wreath translates to, “the moon is my light and my joy.” Monica Vachlon (administrative assistant of horticulture) and Jacob … wreath are made of raffia. A nursery grower in our production greenhouse by day, Lorin Fox is an artist and woodcarver off-hours. A close look at his wreath reveals the mushrooms he …
Type: Blog
… What better way to celebrate spring and keep kids busy than with mud? All you need is a muddy buddy, a few basic supplies, and a sprinkling of imagination to try these fun, … kids to explore and experiment. There's no right or wrong way to do this. The only rule is no eating the cupcakes! Here’s what you’ll need: Dirt Small bucket Large spoon Water Herbs, … Let your child spoon some dirt into the pail. 3. Add a small amount of water and stir. This is approximately a 10:1 ratio of mud to water. You’ll want the mud to be thick, like peanut …
Type: Blog
… The hand-carved Buddha is in the house. A circa-1850 glazed Chinese jar is filled with green Cymbidium orchids native to Asia. And we’re pampering 10,000 other orchids … 25 and kicks off with a Members’ Preview night on Friday, February 9. This year’s Orchid Show is infused with a deep sense of history and culture, thanks to our friends at Pagoda Red …
Type: Blog
… plants first appeared in the fossil record and then rapidly diversified. The fossil record is the best source of evidence to document the origin and early evolution of a group of plants … (China), and Niigata University (Japan). A grant from the National Science Foundation is funding this research. Our research has revealed an abundant and diverse assemblage of fossil … species thar belong to extinct groups of seed plants of uncertain affinities. Our research is currently focused on these extinct lineages to investigate their evolutionary significance …
Type: Research
… chunks of meat onto rosemary skewers for a delicious infused kabob. Genius! A sage brush is perfect for sweeping marinades onto grilled chicken. After the meat is cooked, snip the herb into softened butter to create sage butter to serve along with it at the table. A beautiful plant in the garden, sage is most familiar as the flavoring in stuffing—but it makes a great grill brush, too! After using …
Type: Blog
… 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 … nonstick cooking spray, and seasonal cookie cutters (and get the camera ready—not that anyone is going to lick the spoon…). This is going to be delicious. Bourbon Pumpkin-Pecan Fudge 1¾ cups sugar 1¼ cups brown sugar ¾ cup …
Type: Blog
… and grow! Whether you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver, teaching children to plant seeds is a simple and authentic way to help them engage with nature. It’s an activity that the littlest … discussions about what seeds and plants need to grow and how food gets to our tables. Watering is a simple chore young children are capable of doing; it teaches them about responsibility and … our peas in the raised beds at the Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Bring all the supplies out to the site. Have each child choose where they would like to dig their hole. Pass out a trowel and plant …
Type: Blog
… Mycelium—a network of tiny “threads” that links plants together to share water and nutrients—is an irresistible metaphor for connection and harmony. Designer Stella McCartney is making pants and other clothes out of mycelium . Adidas recently unveiled the Stan Smith Mylo … material that reportedly looks and feels like leather. And French fashion house Hermès is collaborating with a biotechnology company called MycoWorks to create a bag using material …
Type: Blog
