… a few obstacles, but discovered some positive surprises along the way. Windy City Harvest is part of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program that strives to bring food, … about the situation. It really does take my mind off of it and makes me forget that COVID-19 is even a thing.” “Being at the Farm has been really calming, especially during COVID-19. It … It’s been lots of fun and it feels like a second family." Ordinarily, youth farmers work on-site and attend in-person workshops, five days a week for eight weeks. This year, because of the …
Type: Blog
… the Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant breeder. So let’s go seek out the elusive wild phlox. Phlox is predominantly a North American genus (one species sneaks into Siberia) best known for its … × procumbens ‘Pink Profusion’ PPAF Phlox ‘Violet Pinwheels’ PPAF You may ask,“And where is the plant exploration in this story?” I’m getting there! Most of the phlox species simply … on road edges where the occasional mower or bulldozer damage clears out the competitors. It is that or scramble up steep cliffs and talus slopes, or venture out on to harsh alkaline flats, …
Type: Blog
… These are all examples of stories I’ve heard through Plant Love Stories. Plant Love Stories is a project dedicated to collecting and sharing stories about the plants that affect our lives. … with all of our botanical affections, sometimes the line between Plant Love and Plant Hate is very, very thin. We have a genre of stories we call “Love/Hate” stories, tales of plants that … of pollination, the more I admire this tree. The effort it goes to ensure reproductive success is nothing short of amazing. Angry parrots, disgruntled neighbors, a conceited young botanist, …
Type: Blog
… A Paphiopedilum, or lady slipper orchid, is another popular orchid with collectors: it prefers high humidity and indirect light, faring … candidate in the Garden and Northwestern University’s Plant Biology and Conservation program, is an expert in all things orchids, both native and tropical. She took some time this past fall …
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… the Chicago Botanic Garden, where I am the curator in charge of the Bonsai Collection , which is known as one of the best of its kind in the world. Shortly after I purchased my first tree, I … Having the opportunity to be the first full-time curator here at a collection of this caliber is a dream job, which comes with a lot of expectations and responsibility. During the display … help care for the trees on my days off. Last but not least, the support of my 12 volunteers is essential. They are a great team of dedicated people who each brings something different to …
Type: Blog
… Thanksgiving is here again, and we at the Chicago Botanic Garden are thankful for all the pollinators who make … on the image above to download our placemat to enjoy with your feast. The ideal printing size is tabloid (11 x 17 inches). Letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) will also work if you choose …
Type: Blog
… fine motor skills, socialization, and ambulatory movement. In veteran’s hospitals, gardening is used for exercise, vocational training, and education. There is one population that, in my opinion, receives the most benefit from the incorporation of gardens and horticultural therapy in daily services. That population is found in the organizations, schools, institutions, and training centers that serve individuals …
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… ) photo © Carol Freeman While I can’t promise you will see this many warblers in a day, there is always something to see, and the fun part for me is never knowing just what might show up. Last week it was a white-eyed vireo ( Vireo griseus ). This week, warblers. Next week, who knows? All I do know is I’ll be out there to see what wonders there are to discover and then I’ll be in heaven again. …
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… London high society. Nope, we’re too busy looking at the wisteria . The show is based on the popular series of novels by bestselling author Julia Quinn. With all of its … pruned wisteria vines, trained on columns. Wisteria, a trademark in the Bridgerton series, is lovely, but the growing season is short. To extend the bloom season at home, grow wisteria … plant stand by the blue gate. And don’t forget one of the prettiest seats at the Garden, the site of (wink, wink) many marriage proposals. Just past the pergola of white wisteria, you’ll see …
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… designed just for them in the Helen and Richard Thomas English Walled Garden . Plant theater is a traditional English presentation of exceptional plants, such as snowdrops and primroses, … popular right now,” Sherwood said. “That’s another collection that we’re growing, and this is one of the different ways we can display them. They have a great range of color—they are low … planning this for a year,” Sherwood said. “Seeing it come to fruition, as a horticulturist, is wonderful.” …
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