… An Herbal Fix for Winter Doldrums The winter solstice arrives on December 21. It marks the official start of winter. On that day, we’ll experience the shortest amount of daylight and … longest night of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. Have you noticed that the sunlight is weak and the skies are often somber? Freezing temperatures, the possibility of snow, and cabin … Catnip Crafts Do you have a feline or two at home? They can’t resist fresh catnip, which is easy to grow indoors. Harvest a few stems with leaves and dry them between paper towels. When …
Type: Plant Info
… How to Identify Poison Ivy Poison ivy takes many forms, so it is particularly important for parents, camp counselors, hikers, gardeners, and anyone who enjoys … more rural areas. Urushiol, the resin responsible for producing allergic reactions in people, is present in every part of the plant. Rashes can appear minutes or days after exposure. People … may also experience allergic reactions if exposed to fumes from burning the plant. Poison ivy is native to the United States and is easily spread by seeds eaten by birds that feed off the …
Type: Plant Info
… remnant of the oak woodlands once common in northeastern Illinois, Mary Mix McDonald Woods is, in conservation terms, a restoration — an example of an ecosystem that is being brought back … Glen — a landscape of water-loving plants that absorbs rainwater runoff in this often-wet site. Because the plants filter pollutants naturally, the water that eventually reaches the lake … from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building earned its Gold LEED rating with points in six categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, …
Type: Walks
… well-meaning owners are left wondering what happened. What happened, to put it very simply, is that the plant's environment changed from ideal to less than ideal. Match Houseplants to … are not only nontoxic but sturdy if they are around pets. "We have a pothos at home that is indestructible, and cats mostly leave it alone," says Tim Johnson, director of horticulture at the Garden. The good news is that not only is discovering your houseplant environment easily accomplished, it's …
Type: Plant Info
… love to watch spring unfold in gardens everywhere—but at the Chicago Botanic Garden, my heart is in the water. As the Woman’s Board Curator of Aquatics, I like to point out the signs of … a short, curious-looking purple flower. The Budburst plant app would tell you that the plant is a prairie wildflower known as prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) —the flower really does look like … farther downslope, you might see another short flower, this one vibrant yellow. This plant is marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and should not be confused with the insidious invader lesser …
Type: Blog
… finished blooming. Trees are going dormant and preparing to drop their leaves. But this beauty is just getting started. The only thing that isn't lovely about this plant is its name: the toad lily. You can see why the mottled coloration of the flowers might remind … also has its green leaves intriguingly streaked with gold. Tips Toad lilies need soil that is rich in organic matter, part- to full shade and consistent moisture, according to Boyce …
Type: Plant Info
… “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ―Chinese proverb Warm, sunny days and cool nights have ushered in autumn. Before you … choose a small, spring-flowering ornamental tree. Now’s the time to shop and plant. “October is great for planting,” says Tim Johnson, the Garden’s senior director of horticulture. “Any tree …
Type: Plant Info
… When working with a single material, look for uniformity of size and color. The idea is to show a subject off to its best advantage en masse. Direction Attach materials … or wooden wreath base in one direction, clockwise only—the look of an “endless” wreath is much simpler to achieve than a wreath that travels in opposite directions. Dried grasses … so they'll last for several years. Birch bark wreath A few steps down from the gourd wreath is another Nancy Clifton creation, made from birch bark. Its natural curl lent itself to a …
Type: Plant Info
… for the right conditions to germinate. One of the most satisfying things a gardener can do is plant a seed, nurture it, and watch it grow. It’s an enjoyable way to connect with nature. And … adventure for children and adults. Here’s another reason to think about sowing seeds: a seed is a tiny time capsule connecting the future to the past. In 1812, Thomas Jefferson grew Painted … edibles indoors, keep in mind that the average last frost date for the Chicago area is May 15. (These warm-loving veggies should not be planted outdoors until after that date …
Type: Plant Info
… plants that give you pause. In the opinion of renowned garden writer Allen Lacy, the astilbe is one of these prized garden plants. Multidimensional, versatile and adaptable to a variety of settings, it is one of the "steeples and spikes" in a panoramic garden. At the Chicago Botanic Garden, these … all add to the astilbe's interest. A favorite choice of the lowest-growing, ground-cover type is Astilbe simplicifolia 'Sprite'. It blooms with soft pink flowers that top out at 1 1/2 feet. …
Type: Plant Info
