… the McDonald Woods, which wrap around the northeastern edge of the Chicago Botanic Garden. But to Jim Steffen , senior ecologist at the Garden, the oak woodland is a bustling center for natural processes and species, and may hold answers to unsolved scientific questions. Purple milkweed ( Asclepias purpurascens ) blooms in the …
Type: Blog
… in trees for shelter and protection from the elements. What you see as a messy clump of leaves is actually a structure formed from sticks and then lined with leaves and other materials to make it a dry and cozy home. This month I was walking around my neighborhood in Chicago, and I … of four squirrel dreys on my street were located on branches that reach over the street. I had to ask myself why squirrels would build their homes in such a dangerous place. If the squirrel …
Type: Blog
… and deconstruct the richness of color found in nature. Study will include an introduction to light and color, paint mixing, observation, and technique for depicting the natural world. … in water-based media, including acrylic, gouache, and water-based colored pencils will be used to develop rich color compositions. Students will use a limited (but limitless!) palette to layer, glaze, use broken-brushstroke, and optical color mixes to capture nature’s color …
Type: Item Detail
… Q. I am trying to train clematis and five-leaf akebia to climb trees. What are good supports to use that won't damage the vines? A. Both clematis and five-leaf akebia ( Akebia quinata ) grow …
Type: Plant Info
… The natural world has a story to tell once we learn to read the clues. Scientists use this information to tell natural stories about the environment and conduct environmental impact studies. Using …
Type: Item Detail
… Come visit the Nature Play Garden to roll down the hills, splash in the runnel, and hide in the log tunnels. Join us for … and caregivers can engage in creative play with natural materials. Activities vary week to week. Summer Nature Explorer : Reading and Activity Program Read books and play at Family Drop-In Activity sites and earn prizes! For details and to sign up, visit the Lenhardt Library in the Regenstein Center. Children of all ages are welcome …
Type: Event for Calendar
… When mature, the katsura tree can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet. Its habit varies from oval to wide-spreading, making it a fine tree for a large space. The beautiful rounded leaves are … observant gardener may catch the scent of cotton candy coming from the changing leaves. Native to China and Japan, the striking leaves of the katsura are similar to those of a redbud, but …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Deep orange petals are backed by red to mahogany undersides on this heritage cultivar that gained favor during the 1930s. Petals are edible and can also be used as to create a dye. Plant this calendula in full sun and in moderately rich, moist soils during cool spring weather. If summers are cool, like they can be, it will continue to flower all summer long. In more normal summers, it will stop flowering with the onset of hot …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… The coral buds of Zumi Wooster crabapple open to white flowers. Crabapples are small flowering trees that provide a showy display in the spring landscape for 1 to 2 weeks. In addition to the eye-catching buds and flowers, their foliage, habit, and fruit make them attractive plants …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Can you imagine that in olden times people would to grind up the leaves of plants and inhale them so as to make themselves sneeze? It's true, that's how this plant got its common name of sneezeweed. … with brown centers that are present from June through August.Derived from a sneezeweed native to Oregon and California, this plant like full sun and dryish soil conditions. This particular …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
