… , the stark white trunks of native sweet birch (Betula lenta) stand out on overcast days. Look for paperbark maples (Acer griseum) and Peking lilacs (Syringa pekinensis) and discover the … cedar (Thuja plicata) has dark green, scale-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Look for the delicate brown cones near the tips of the branches. The deeply furrowed bark of dawn … be cut back in early spring. So grab your coat, hat, gloves, and scarf and come out for a visit. There’s much to see. Written by Nina Koziol, garden writer and horticulturist who lives …
Type: Plant Info
… colors and unusual shapes, gourds are not only beautiful, but are also a wonderful medium for craftspeople. Carve, wax, stain, or varnish them; paint or dye them; use wood-burning tools … with thick, soft shells; and the less commonly grown luffa gourds that are valued in Europe for their spongy interiors. Lagenaria gourds come in several different shapes that define their … since all of them are smaller than 6 inches. Growing Gourds Gourds require at least 120 frost-free days to mature. Therefore, they should be started indoors in March and moved outside to the …
Type: Plant Info
… yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. Its narrow leaves are blue-green. Plant it in full sun for best flowering. Creating a pleasing border in our midwestern climate requires more than … most perennials cannot match in this region's short growing season. When the perennials vanish for the winter, shrubs provide a welcome presence. Some of the best border choices are smaller … with the midseason bulbs. Its delicate leaves have an attractive white edge, and its arching, free-form habit makes it a good combination with perennials. It prefers partial shade. …
Type: Plant Info
… muddy boots and thorn-snagged pants, giving back to the landscapes they love. “I think caring for the natural world brings out the best in people,” said Stevens. The swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Source: Doug McGrady. And that care leads to wins for elusive rare species. Take the swollen sedge ( Carex intumescens ). Once classified as … than 550 rare plant populations stretch across the forest preserves—far more than staff can visit annually. Volunteer finding the white lady's slipper orchid ( Cypripedium candidum ). Its …
Type: Blog
… A walk through the Dwarf Conifer Garden is truly a plant lover’s feast for the eyes. It’s difficult to decide where to look next; what new magnificent specimens await … with new vistas, views, and plant discoveries revealed at every turn, and at every level. For as the garden clearly demonstrates, not all dwarf conifers are found by looking down. … of the year, especially in winter. Download a guide for the Dwarf Conifer Garden before you visit. Considering dwarf conifers for your landscape? Read on or take a class . The American …
Type: Walks
… If you’re a beginning gardener, it’s easy to be intimidated by where to start and how to care for plants. The Garden offers many resources to get you growing. Let’s dig in. Start Small Don’t … rubber plants, and ficus trees can be grown indoors and outside once the weather is warm. And, for first-time indoor gardeners, we have a plant story for you. Outdoors If you have a small … the existing garden or creating another one. We’re here to help. Take a class. Read a book. Visit the greenhouse. Watch a video. Nina Koziol is a garden writer and horticulturist who lives …
Type: Plant Info
… rakes to remove unsightly mats of algae and invasive shoreline weeds. See the water quality for yourself: at this rare break in the shoreline plantings, you can walk right down to the … species, have become not only part of the shoreline infrastructure but also important habitats for fish, frogs, turtles, and birds. Arranged in eye-pleasing drifts, some plantings extend out … This is a beautiful building. Your walk is an act of conservation in itself. Enjoy your visit! View Conservation Walk #2 …
Type: Walks
… the corpse flower that bloomed last September. Maxwell and Lexi (in her Alice T-shirt) Kirchen visit Sprout early this morning before school. Harper, 14 months old, waves at #CBGSprout the … And it is very stinky. Carrie: I happened to see the Facebook post. And we were here every day for Spike (a titan arum that previously was on display at the Garden). Jamie Smith of Highland … spathe (modified frilly leaf). It has great textures. Roman Bouchal of the Czech Republic came for the smell this morning, and found it in the window removed from Sprout the corpse flower’s …
Type: Blog
… group of Cattleyas . Its compact habit, along with its strong, wonderful fragrance, and free-flowering nature are the most distinguishing features of the species. From a single sheath, … by genus and is consistent with their natural habitat. While requiring adequate sunlight for a stunning bloom display, most orchids will not tolerate sustained direct sun. Many varieties …
Type: Garden Guide Plant
… prevailing idea is that mulch is a definitive weed barrier. I hate to be the bearer of sad news, but the answer to that one is, well…have you noticed that weeds will grow quite well from … break down or compost into smaller, organically beneficial material. But its primary benefit for trees and shrubs is threefold: To protect and optimize the root zone To protect the trunk, … for eons. Why mess with success? Save the shredded tire mulch for the playground. And save the free wood chips municipalities provide for things that begin with the letter “P,” such as …
Type: Blog
