… case, the gap between leaves—and projects an inverted image on the other side. This effect is especially notable at dawn or just before dusk, when one can observe a cascade of shimmering amber light. While the sight is familiar and nostalgic, there is no English word for this phenomenon. There is, however, a Japanese word: komorebi . Komorebi …
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… Lake Cook Natural Area The Lake Cook Natural Area is a narrow natural area that occurs along Lake Cook Road between the Skokie River and the Garden entrance. It is a testament to the value that even the smallest of areas bring when it comes to supporting … ecologists and volunteers removed the invasive species and reintroduced native species to the site, transforming it into a beautiful and diverse landscape on display for the vehicles, …
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… Senior Staff: Jean M. Franczyk President and Chief Executive Officer Jean M. Franczyk is President and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Garden is one of the world’s largest and most popular botanic gardens, hosting 1.2 million visits a year while reaching tens of thousands more through its science, learning, …
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… We have a problem. My cat is eating my plant. Despite the fact that my prayer plant has inhabited my apartment for over a … his orchids. I called floriculturist Deb Moore of the Garden’s Plant Production Department to get recommendations on how to keep a peaceful and pet- and plant-friendly home. 1. Choose non-toxic plants If you want to have houseplants in your pet-friendly home, make sure …
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… Baltimore orioles have arrived in the eastern United States to set up breeding territories. To get her attention, the male hops around the female, spreads his wings, and bows forward. The … Life Histories of North American Birds series, Arthur Cleveland Bent noted that the oriole is “perhaps the most skillful artisan of any North American bird.” Those lucky enough to see an … to hop out onto a branch, exercise their wings, and then fledge. The Baltimore oriole nest is a labor of love. Photo © Carol Freeman These colorful birds eat insects, fruit, and nectar, …
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… waders including the great blue heron. A great egret ( Ardea alba ) fishes; in the background is a great blue heron. Photo © Carol Freeman During breeding season, a patch of skin on the … its motionless legs likely looking like branches to a fish, which will come closer, and then get snatched up by the hungry wader. The bird swallows the prey head first, sometimes having to … Lagoons. Photo © Carol Freeman Once on the state endangered species list, the great egret is doing well in Illinois; however, habitat loss and water pollution may threaten its future. …
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… er, clones? Aside from the internal struggles, enlarging your plant collection by propagation is a relatively easy—and inexpensive—undertaking. It also makes a thoughtful gift over the … propagation expert, shared a few tips for creating new plants from stem and leaf cuttings. 1. Cut a piece of your houseplant below a node (where leaf and stem meet) For most houseplants … a healthy stem just below where the leaf and stem meet (the node). Cut at a 45-degree angle to get the most rooting area. “Remove the lower leaves. Cuttings don’t have the root system to take …
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… questions, since they are on the cutting edge of scientific understanding. One such question is: “What are those specs of gold on the monarch butterflies?” The short answer is “Nobody knows!” But there are a few interesting theories. Lepidopterists approach strange … structure of the outer chrysalis that gives it its metallic sheen. This is where things get a bit more complicated. Entomologists refer to the outer surface of metallic chrysalids as …
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… you just can’t wait for that first day when you lose the covers and open the windows. It is that breath of fresh air that tells us summer is just around the corner. Roses under a warm winter blanket of mulch. Our Krasberg Rose Garden … can be deadly to many cultivars. As the hours of sunlight increase and daytime temperatures get warmer, however, we need to start inspecting our roses for signs that it is time to remove …
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… It’s that time of year when the sun finally comes out and temperatures go up, allowing you to get some outdoor planting done. But beware the fickle Chicago spring. Perfect gardening days are … the temperatures drop too low, the covering can freeze to the plant and damage it. Circulation is always good, so give your plants “breathing room” if you cover them. Leave some plants alone. …
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