… favorite nursery for recommendations, or ask about seed starter mix at our Plant Information Service desk in its new location at Regenstein Center, next to the entrance of Lenhardt Library. … the soil temperature is warm enough to transplant them—which is why a 3- or 4-inch pot filled with starting mix may be a better idea than a two-step process of sprouting-then-repotting. Last …
Type: Plant Info
… glamorous thing in gardening. When seeds come in the mail, when garden centers start to fill with tempting flowers, when juices start to flow and gardeners' ambitions are highest, drudging … particles pack less closely, leaving more space between for water and air to flow. Sandy soil, with big particles, is most porous and drains almost too well for many plants, letting water … your soil — ideally neutral, or about 7 — and which nutrients it holds. The Plant Information Service can help you find a soil test lab. Soil in Your Pots What about potting soil? Drainage is …
Type: Plant Info
… have positive ecological implications. Dr. Becky Barak Brian Lovejoy (left), Ph.D. student with Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden; Rose Menzies (center), graduate … Tyler Peters (right), research assistant at the University of Michigan-Flint, work on research with the experimental plots. Former lawn alternatives research assistant and graduate student … lawn alternatives; now, we can give them the tools to know which lawn alternatives might match with their goals." The study kicked off in 2021 as a collaboration between Barak; Rebecca …
Type: Blog
… any garden-variety diva, they’ve attracted bad press—too temperamental, not playing nicely with others, demanding way too much attention. Tom Soulsby, the horticultural impresario of roses … great flowers, smell great—the holy grail of what you want in a rose,” Soulsby says. It began with the Knock Out ® rose, introduced in 2000 by plant breeder William Radler (who, by the way, … which I use as a quasi-climber in parts of the Garden,” Soulsby said. Because it is large and fast-growing, it’s best for bigger spaces. It blooms in June and July. Above and Beyond ™ …
Type: Blog
… of the ornamental onion ( Allium spp.) do all that, and more: they brush the mixed border with an artistic touch, dotting the garden with statuesque, floral sculpture. Spring bulbs are beloved for their brilliance and promise of … “annuals,” especially if you garden in heavy clay. Alliums are native to sandy, dry soils with excellent drainage—Siberia, eastern Europe, Turkey, and the lands once known as Persia. As …
Type: Plant Info
… Along with all the joys that come with spring—daffodils, magnolia blossoms, blue skies, and warm sunshine—are the four-legged … plants, voles, and preventing animal damage . More related topic, visit our Plant Information Service . Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives and gardens in Palos …
Type: Plant Info
… or improper watering and fertilizing techniques," says Johnson. The Garden's Plant Information Service can help if you have questions. Finally, at some point you may need to repot your …
Type: Plant Info
… This got us thinking about the issue of maturing gardens—a topic that every gardener deals with sooner or later. In this issue of Smart Gardener , we offer some thoughts about helping your … few years after renovation is a sanctuary of dappled shade and vivid color in the fall, thick with native shoreline plants, which add a lush texture to the landscape while preventing erosion. … and slabs tilt as tree roots flex their might. Wooden structures cry "uncle" after decades of service. (This spring, our carpentry crew rebuilt —beautifully—the wooden pergola/arbor in the …
Type: Plant Info
… varieties manage to play off their neighboring annuals, perennials, or even dwarf conifers with contrasting texture and color. Ornamental grasses are some of the most versatile plants in the garden, offering fine lines with feathery flowers. The range of distinctive foliage includes blue, chartreuse, burgundy, … slightly open habit. Very large, long-lasting plum-colored plumes form in September and make excellent cut flowers. This beautiful grass is planted in great masses at the Chicago Botanic …
Type: Plant Info
… Preschoolers Embrace Friends of All Abilities This past summer Shannon Szymikowski was flying with her daughter Keira, age 5, when another young child at the airport got upset and started to … was the first to include students from TrueNorth, an education cooperative for students with disabilities. Keira remembered that one of her TrueNorth friends used music to calm down. … each other’s learning equipment. TrueNorth, which supports North Shore school districts with early childhood services, reached out to the Nature Preschool in January 2024 looking for a …
Type: Blog
