… A plant is one of my favorite gifts, both to give and receive. I am, however, not inclined to throw out … of anything bright, colorful, fragrant, and alive! Tossing out leftover wrapping paper is one thing, but pitching out a moth orchid whose blossoms have withered is a dastardly deed. A … and then cut it off at the base. Impatient gardeners, like myself, cut the green stem off and get on with the business of fertilizing once a week with a very dilute orchid fertilizer. …
Type: Plant Info
… as the chemical that makes leaves green. But ask why leaves turn color in the fall, and we get vague quickly. Colder temperatures? Shorter days? True, but there’s more to the story. … or brown, the colors of carotenoid chemicals. Reds, crimsons, and purples happen when sugar is trapped in the leaves. As sugar decomposes, it creates chemicals called anthocyanins. … the environmental factors that lead to fall color for many years. However, each of the 1,391 different taxa of trees and 2,319 taxa of shrubs here respond to these environmental …
Type: Blog
… shrubs that have reached the end of their life cycle. Native to the east coast, bayberry is a quiet shrub—loosely mounded in shape, at about six feet tall, bayberries look best massed … rather than as single specimens. Need to replace a hedge? It's a fine option. Bayberry is justly famous for its scent (think candles, soaps), found both in its long, leathery leaves … leaves. Like the giant species, dwarf willows prefer full sun and moist conditions — site them in the low, damp spots in your yard. Our friends at Vermont Willow Nursery have a …
Type: Plant Info
… group. Even the number of blooms was important.  While much of the secret language of flowers is lost in modern times, the traditional gift of roses on Valentine’s Day still expresses … you a happy Valentine’s Day with a virtual bouquet, and hope that if you were lucky enough to get some flowers of your own, you enjoy them at least until the snowdrops pop up to welcome us to … stem ends in water to prevent the cut from sealing quickly. Make sure that the water you used is room temperature (or slightly warmer) to help your flowers absorb it quickly and easily. Make …
Type: Blog
… even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with our harvest, she doesn’t let us down. Nature is generally consistent, and when it isn’t, it is surprisingly consistent in its inconsistency. … came into my mind one morning. The day before me felt too busy, too much. How was I going to get everything done while being a good mother and daughter, an attentive partner and friend, and … and taking advantage of the science, education, and therapy programs offered by more than 1,000 botanic gardens, arboreta, and conservatories around the world are helping many individuals …
Type: Blog
… well-being. One easy way to do that at the Chicago Botanic Garden or anywhere you walk is to seek out the company of evergreens. That includes most conifers, which are plants that … as well as their ability to transform and brighten the landscape. The charm of conifers is subtle; you just have to slow down and get up close. Here are a few suggestions on what to look for: Oriental arborvitae ( Platycladus …
Type: Blog
… It’s been another fantastic season at Butterflies & Blooms at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is my second year working at Butterflies & Blooms, and I think it’s looking better than ever. The … my finger. I reached far up into a serviceberry tree and placed the moth where visitors could get an ideal view. Just a few minutes later, a handful of photographers stopped by, and they … Botanical (Own work) [ CC BY-SA 3.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons  Butterflies & Blooms  home is in the Regenstein Learning Campus . I can’t think of a more appropriate place for visitors to …
Type: Blog
… Windy City Harvest Youth Farm Washington Park 2014 Participants Cynthia Busby Intern Cynthia is a Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship student and intern at the Windy City Harvest Youth Farm in Washington Park. She is interested in learning and sharing information about urban agriculture with her community. Reneldia Gardner Grower Fourth season Reneldia is a Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship graduate from the class of 2010, and she is in her fourth …
Type: Page
… Something amazing is about to happen in the Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden: dozens and dozens of witch … Cream', and 'Purple Ribbons'. The rare opportunity to compare them — all in bloom at once — is a gardener's dream when it comes to choosing a finalist for your yard. Andrew Bell explains … bonsai silhouette show in January; it can be seen periodically in the bonsai courtyards. To get to the Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden, cross the Trellis Bridge from Evening Island …
Type: Plant Info
… in. It’s that time of year when a gardener’s thoughts turn to spring, but planting season is months away. What can you do? Grow some spring-blooming bulbs indoors right now, says Tim … blooming tulips.” Pollak and his team have planted more than 11,000 spring-flowering bulbs in 1,665 pots, many of which will be displayed outdoors at the Garden come April. But right now, for … they don’t overpower the other plants.” This diminutive, buttery yellow heirloom daffodil is lightly fragrant and blooms for ten days or more.  Hyacinths “Hyacinths are some of my …
Type: Plant Info
