… well-intentioned distribution by General Mills of “one size fits all” wildflower seed packets to combat the declining populations of bees and other pollinators. The decline of pollinator … important agricultural pollinators, but many of our native bees are vastly more imperiled. For example, the rusty patched bumblebee , native to the Upper Midwest, was just listed this month by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as …
Type: Blog
… tree lots carry a dazzling array of trees ranging from fragrant balsam firs ( Abies balsamea) to shimmering Colorado blue spruces ( Picea pungens ). With so many choices, how does one choose? … piney fragrance. They feature dark green needles (often with silver undersides) and are known for their rounded needles, which minimize injuries. They’re among the longest-lived Christmas trees and most resistant to needle drop. The main downside is that some varieties can be very expensive. Colorado blue …
Type: Blog
… Passiflora vitifolia is a spectacular red-flowered passion vine native to a broad region stretching from Costa Rica to northwestern South America. The deeply lobed … resemble those of grapes—the grape genus is Vitis. The leaves are an important food source for larvae of Heliconius butterfly species; the adults visit the flowers to obtain nectar. Pollinated flowers are followed by 5-inch, speckled, …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… It is hard not to be enamored by the incredible flowering diversity at the Chicago Botanic Garden during Pride … as echinacea and milkweed, there is an overabundance of blooms, making it a joyful month to visit our gardens. It would be easy to draw parallels between the rainbow of summer colors and … besides, as a botanist, I feel compelled to point out that the range of flower colors extends way beyond the rainbow, including browns, grays, black and white, and even ultraviolet, a color …
Type: Blog
… kid.) The ink in my pen froze and I couldn’t take notes. We spent a lot of time standing still to observe birds, twigs, moss, ice crystals, and seed heads while the wind sent bone-chilling … He also wears stretchy bicycling gloves inside his insulated work gloves. So, Come On, Get Out! Winter is a wonderland even if there’s no snow. Cure that cabin fever while enjoying the … I get cold quickly. A little perspiration can make you chilled and a change of clothes is best.” Apply Sunscreen “You still get a lot of [UV] exposure and I use sunscreen when I’m skiing …
Type: Blog
… There are hundreds of photography apps available for iPhones, and many have similar features. Learn the basics of iPhone photography, explore some of the better-known apps, and get instructions to use them to enhance your nature photography. You will have the opportunity to get feedback …
Type: Item Detail
… Step past the sleepy stone lion, breathe in the cowslip primrose, and listen to the water trickle into an eighteenth-century lead cistern—the feeling is as timeless as the … made of stone, brick, hedges, and trees. (At the dedication, Princess Margaret, by the way, wore a heavy, royal blue coat, buttoned to the collar; in a one-minute speech, she thanked the Garden for ensuring the authenticity of the English Walled Garden, according to a Chicago Tribune …
Type: Blog
… Citizen Science Academy Learn how to better engage your students, visitors, or program participants with the natural world through citizen science. Citizen Science Academy courses use Budburst as a case study for learning about citizen science as a field, how to use citizen science effectively in a … ($95 fee). Two-week courses are eligible for one credit ($55 fee). For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions . Current Courses Teaching Phenology and Climate Change (CSA …
Type: Page
… the better. Zinnias fit the bill on all three counts. And more. In fact, they're one of the best flowers that smart gardeners can put to work in their gardens. Zinnias are planted in nearly every one of our 27 display gardens. One … maintenance. Since they're fast-growing, they shade out weeds. They don't require much in the way of fertilizing (just an occasional well-balanced mix), and they don't need mulching. …
Type: Plant Info
… Why composting doesn’t have to be hard anymore If I spot a few weeds in the shade garden, I yank them before they flower and … remains under the hostas where they serve as mulch as they break down. It’s my easy (lazy) way of recycling organic material into the soil. I take shortcuts when I’m composting, too. We … goodness that goes into my wheelbarrow and onto the beds and borders as a soil amendment. The best part—besides free compost—is the small amount of garbage our household produces as a result. …
Type: Blog
