… led to its demise at the turn of the twentieth century—when these and other waders were hunted for their feathery plumes that women wore in their hats. Since then, the great egret, standing more than 3 feet tall with a nearly 5-foot wing span, has become the symbol for the National Audubon Society, founded in part to stop these birds from being killed to … is doing well in Illinois; however, habitat loss and water pollution may threaten its future. Visit Baker’s Lake in Barrington to watch the great egret during breeding season and McGinnis …
Type: Birding
… parts that makes a garden a garden.” — Elements of Design by Joe Eck By May, it’s tempting to visit the local garden center and go gaga over all things in bloom. We load up the shopping cart … spring, now’s the time to take stock of what changes or improvements will provide the most for your personal enjoyment and your money. Often, we find inspiration by simply observing and … ( Asclepias tuberosa ) to feed monarchs and other butterflies. Places of Inspiration Did you visit another garden that you particularly enjoyed? Think about the elements that sparked your …
Type: Plant Info
… angustifolia ) , and Spanish or French lavender (L. stoechas or L. dentata) . On your next visit to the Garden , drop by the Thomas English Walled Garden or Sensory Garden, take a deep … tsp. salt Drop by teaspoonfuls on to an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-13 minutes. Icing (optional): 2 cups powdered sugar 5½ tsp. water 6½ tsp. rosewater Recipe courtesy of The Spice House, thespicehouse.com …
Type: Blog
… Q. How should we select pumpkins for cooking and decorating? A. From supermarkets to farm stands and backyard gardens, fall brings … many unique cultivars have been introduced, along with distinctive heirloom varieties. Whether for cooking or decoration, a good pumpkin has the same external characteristics. It should be free from scratches, soft or rotten spots, and cracks, and should feel heavy relative to its …
Type: Plant Info
… is required. Additional information concerning the artist is available at www.djgarrity.com . Students of all ages have enjoyed the light approach that Garrity brings to the art of … is required. Additional information concerning the artist is available at www.djgarrity.com . Students of all ages have enjoyed the light approach that Garrity brings to the art of …
Type: Page
To most people, the word “pollinator” is synonymous with the word “bee,” but only a fraction of plants are pollinated by bees. In fact, many different insects and mammals are pollinators—bats, birds, beetles, and we can't forget our nocturnal friends, moths. Conservation Scientist Krissa Skogen, Ph.D., tells us about the white-lined sphinx moth ( Hyles lineatawe ). Meet Some Moths In the state of …
Type: Plant Info
… as a Century Plant—has grown literally through the roof, choosing the dead of winter for a bloom that’s been three decades in the making. Agave sp. FO-76 on December 10, 2025 … Hector Ortiz Cano hopes to take a tissue sample to get a clear ID. Why go to the trouble? For one, without knowing the species, it’s hard to predict when an agave will bloom, and how long … issues arise,” said Laura. “For me, it’s ceremonial,” said Hector. “I couldn’t miss this.” Visit Agave sp. FO-76 now in our Arid Greenhouse. Note that our Regenstein Center Greenhouses …
Type: Blog
… or repurposing gently used items. Here at the Chicago Botanic Garden, we’re all about fuss-free pursuits—plants, nature crafts, plant-based meals...we had you at plants, right? Below are … shirt and get glowin’: Forget the pricey pumpkin lattes Put together a quick, seasonal meal for someone—try pumpkin bisque , with walnut bread , and a corn and nopales (cactus leaves) salad … No one knows anymore. Here’s an easy way to send a postcard that will cost you….35 cents for a U.S. postage stamp—download one of our Lenhardt Library's historic garden images and print …
Type: Blog
… Although slow-growing, this boxwood ( Buxus microphylla ) should make a full recovery. The bad news is that more plant damage is likely to appear once the weather is consistently warm, though … the specimen. Unfortunately, some evergreens will be a total loss. This is especially true for plants grown at the edge of the hardiness zone. To determine whether a bush is going to make … creatures that travel under the snow, from hawks and other predators, leaving the creatures free to gnaw on branches and trunks. The drifts also provide a stepladder for rabbits, which feed …
Type: Blog
… or slough. In spring and fall, when you're walking around the waterways of the Garden, look for this handsome (some might say gaudy-looking) duck. During the breeding season, the northern …
Type: Birding
