… hillii ) blooming This thistle was not the Canada thistle ( Cirsium canadensis ), which is a non-native weed that is commonly seen along the roadsides and in your garden. What I stumbled on was Hill’s thistle ( … from taller plants. A number of species of bees visit and pollinate this plant. The plant is believed to be monocarpic, which means the plant dies after flowering and producing seed. I …
Type: Blog
… shadowed water below. Doctoral student Lynnaun Johnson wades over for a closer look. Habitat is shrinking for this reclusive orchid, and he is using a unique approach to better understand the species’ uncommon lifestyle. During March … the plant and took a sample from the bark of its host tree. “What I’m interested in primarily is identifying the fungi within the habitat of these particular orchids,” said Johnson. “If you …
Type: Blog
… like pinkball dombeya ( Dombeya wallichii ). Native to East Africa and Madagascar, the genus is a highly sought-after ornamental in USDA Zones 9 and warmer. One of the rarest plants in our collections is Deppea splendens. Native to the mountains of western Mexico, this plant is extinct in the wild. Visit our What’s in Bloom highlight page each week—twice a week during …
Type: Blog
… when it eventually reopens or are available now from online sellers, including smile.amazon.com (your purchases through this link support the Chicago Botanic Garden, if you designate us as the recipient). Bonus for members: While the Lenhardt Library is closed, more than 7,000 horticulture and gardening e-books are now available for online … Woods Shinrin Yoku: The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing By Yoshifumi Miyazaki Forest bathing is the practice of seeking a deeper connection with nature by spending dedicated time surrounded …
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… Horticultural Society was founded. To celebrate the Society’s 125th anniversary, the Garden is featuring two special exhibitions, lectures, and the launch of a commemorative book, Chicago … Fire of 1871 to the victory garden era through the present.” A view looking south from the site of the future Chicago Botanic Garden; low in the horizon is the city of Chicago (click on image for a larger view) An early image of the Garden’s islands: …
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… Foraging for edible mushrooms is a treasure hunt that always yields a reward. You never know what you’re going to find. At the … Jean-Pol Grandmont Great finds: black trumpets, and more importantly—chanterelles! Summertime is the fruiting season for two of my favorite edible mushrooms: chanterelles (Cantharellus … eaten mushroom in the United States. (The green-spored lepiota [Chlorphyllum molybdites] is the most common.) We can tell chanterelles from jack-o-lanterns when we turn them over and …
Type: Blog
… it all: lackluster moods, low energy, and even mild depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder is defined as depression associated with late autumn and winter, thought to be caused by a lack … the sights and smells of the season. One of my favorite HT activities to do this time of year is our ‘ Simmering Spices’ project. During this activity, participants mix together a wide array … are brought forth with the smells of the spices. Scent triggers the area of the brain that is connected to the experience of emotion as well as emotional memory. I see this time and time …
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… at a nursery or retail lot, never buy a bagged tree. It’s harder to know whether the tree is fresh if it’s wrapped in netting. The best way to tell which pre-cut tree will last longest is to do the “shake test.” Grab a tree by its trunk and give it a little jostle. If more than … water and sap. A fresh cut allows the tree to absorb water more easily. Make sure the cut is perpendicular, not at an angle or pointed. Watering rules As soon as you get your tree home, …
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… 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 …
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… 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 …
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