… and rest them on a grassy meadow near the Dixon Prairie. Inside these 2- by-2-foot quadrants is a fantastical world to discover: the height of different species of plants, the temperature of … outside the classroom creates valuable experiences and future scientists. Prairie Pondering is just one of the Garden’s guided field trips , where students from Chicago area schools can … and ask questions that Garden experts examine on a daily basis. The goal of the field trips is to create real-life opportunities for students to have fun with science outside of their …
Type: Blog
… days, a barely noticeable inch, and other days, a remarkable 4 or 5 inches. Below the soil is a giant corm, which is a type of underground tuber or bulb (some can weight up to 200 pounds). The titan arum bloom … as a germinated seed about the size of a quarter. Big bloom! While it will look like Spike is a 6- to 8-foot-tall flower, what you will see is actually a tall spadix (flower structure) …
Type: Blog
… Early summer in the Dwarf Conifer Garden is all about the new growth. Everything is bursting forth with fresh new growth in vivid shades of green, chartreuse, yellow…and blue! … growth. Likewise, Taylor’s Sunburst lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ‘ Taylor’s Sunburst’) is a handsome green tree for most of the year—until spring, when radiant yellow new growth bursts …
Type: Blog
… plant materials they saved are from populations that no longer exist. Now, all of that data is coming together for the first time in a research study by graduate student Claire Ellwanger. … conservation graduate program run by the Chicago Botanic Garden and Northwestern University—is using modern analysis tools to uncover the genetic history of the species. What she finds will … manage it for the future. Claire Ellwanger measures orchid seedpods in the field. This orchid is a pretty interesting species because there has been this massive volunteer effort for over 20 …
Type: Blog
… on the mushroom They should look like mushrooms you want to eat This portobello mushroom is good for making spore prints. This shiitake mushroom may be a little old—notice the brown … recently told me, “Plants are cool, but fungus rules.” As a mycologist, fungus is her passion. Now, we aren’t really interested in competition or ranking organisms by levels of … Scientists used to think of mushrooms and other fungi as special kinds of plants. The problem is that, unlike plants, fungi do not get energy from photosynthesis. They are composed of …
Type: Blog
… among the longest-lived Christmas trees and most resistant to needle drop. The main downside is that some varieties can be very expensive. Colorado blue spruce ( Picea pungens ‘Procumbens’) … decorating, they do not hold up very well to the dry air indoors. If you select a spruce, it is critical that it is kept away from any sources of heat that might dry it out. The branches are strong and can …
Type: Blog
… The Krasberg Rose Garden is naturally romantic. As with fine wines, the descriptive words for roses are rich and … Morse Earle writes the following in “Old Time Garden” : “The fragrance of the sweetest rose is beyond any other flower scent, it is irresistible, enthralling; you cannot leave it.” Breathe deeply, and perhaps you’ll detect …
Type: Blog
… flower alone. Having a tag will help you to always remember what species or hybrid your orchid is. 2. Choose a plant you really like. This may sound obvious, but orchids aren’t like other … ( Coccus hesperidum ) and offspring on Phalaenopsis . The easiest way to tell if a plant is healthy is to look at it. It should have smooth green leaves, fleshy, plump pseudobulbs (if present), and …
Type: Blog
… too. × It’s the English Walled Garden gate! The Helen and Richard Thomas English Walled Garden is a favorite among visitors and was originally created by the noted British landscape architect, … Japanese Garden Bridge? Way to go! In the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden, this bridge is part of what’s called Sansho-En, a Japanese style of gardening. Dr. Koichi Kawana, the … are different from other bridges because it goes quiet at the center. Close Clue: This object is one part of a pair. It’s made of steel but its partner is made of granite. It’s also a place …
Type: Blog
… in your garden? How about marigolds, coleus, a gingko, or a panicle hydrangea? If so, this is a testimony to the many plant explorers who, in the past four centuries, traveled far and wide, for years at a time, in search of new plants. The story of plant exploration is a thrilling chapter in the annals of science. American and foreign botanists often risked … disease, and the dangers of wild animals. Plant exploration continues today. Phil Douglas is the Chicago Botanic Garden’s director of plant collections. He also manages plant exploration …
Type: Blog
