… Dark pink petals grade to light pink surrounding a golden center on the blooms of Surefire hardy waterlily ( Nymphaea 'Surefire'). The dark green leaves grow to 6 inches wide in diameter by the end of the season. The cultivar tolerates cool water …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… Masses of bright tangerine orange flowers fade to yellow near the centers and absolutely cover the succulent green foliage during the heat of summer. A great choice for sunny areas that have a tendency to dry out frequently. Plant in full sun, very well drained soils and water during dry periods. …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… species of moths in the state of Illinois—more than ten times the diversity of butterflies—it is a real adventure sampling the moth species inhabiting the McDonald Woods at the Chicago … woodland. Moths are removed from the traps and then photographed before being released back to the woodland. The metallic scales of the Virginia Ctenucha moth (C tenucha virginica ) are … the food chain. Entomologist Doug Tallamy tabulated the number of caterpillars that were used to support one nest of black-capped chickadees and found that they consumed between 6,000 and …
Type: Blog
… clearing for pasture, frequent fires, and pressure from population growth have all contributed to severe fragmentation and degradation of SDTF. Most conservation efforts to date have been directed toward specific plant taxa or areas that contain high levels of plant … approach overlooks less obvious targets for conservation, such as fungi, that are critical to plant growth (mycorrhizal fungi) and ecosystem function (decomposer fungi). Our studies have …
Type: Research
… Summer-blooming lavender is everywhere these days—in botanical cocktails, in aromatherapy mists, on fruit salads. The … the Lavender,” based on the plant’s texture, scent, beauty, and versatility. It’s a bit tricky to grow lavender in the Midwest . Most of the 28-plus species of lavender are not reliably hardy … sugar 5½ tsp. water 6½ tsp. rosewater Recipe courtesy of The Spice House, thespicehouse.com …
Type: Blog
… Attention orchid fans: our vanilla orchid is blooming in the Tropical Greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It’s a rare occurrence in the wild—and in a greenhouse. Wade Wheatley, assistant horticulturist, seized the moment to hand-pollinate the flower. Why hand pollinate? In hopes of producing a vanilla bean. Yes, the fruit of a vanilla orchid is used to make pure vanilla extract, which flavors many foods we enjoy. Vanilla vines typically begin to …
Type: Blog
… as some of us in the Second City affectionately call it: Second Winter—can test our ability to feel connected to anything living, including each other and ourselves. When we are stuck inside, our mental … Flower Mandala Sun Catchers Loosely translated from Sanskrit to mean “circle,” a mandala is a symbol that represents wholeness and reminds us of the connectivity of all things in the …
Type: Blog
… Join Nancy Clifton to learn a few ideas for making your own seed balls. Seed balls are small, seed-infused clay spheres used on bare soil and open areas to start plants. Originally used by guerrilla gardeners in urban vacant lots to grow plants in desolate open city areas, the concept can be used for anyone interested in …
Type: Item Detail
… Continue to plant hardy spring-flowering bulbs early this month if weather and soil conditions permit. … sand or gravel before setting in bulbs. These products help deter rodents from digging. Cut to the ground all remaining dried perennial material not intended for winter interest. Add to your compost pile. …
Type: Plant Info
… state-of-the-art lab—including all the unique seed prep equipment—and learn the multiple steps to seed banking from their arrival to long-term storage. Limited to 12 participants. Tour Guide: Dave Sollenberger, Seed Bank Manager Location: Daniel F. and …
Type: Item Detail
