… Even when the Chicago Botanic Garden was buried in snow, our horticulturists would look for signs of spring and trade tips—did you see that … into undulating mounds so they always look good. But they are incredibly dramatic starting in April, when they’re blooming en masse on a slope that provides different perspectives. Redbuds … Campus We planted a large number of redbud trees to create a dramatic flowering display in early spring. The landscape architect for the Learning Campus , which opened in 2016, did a …
Type: Blog
… Leaves are green. There are very few exceptions in healthy living plants, and most of the exceptions are partially green with red, yellow, … color are essential for the plant’s ability to harness energy from the sun and make sugars in the process we know as photosynthesis. But every once in a while, a completely white seedling sprouts from a seed. This happened with some basil I grew …
Type: Blog
… Summer is in the air. As the nights heat up, it’s a perfect time to get outdoors and entertain in your garden. Chicago Botanic Garden floriculturist Tim Pollak shares how you can bring the … white or cream-colored foliage and flowers. White flowers and plants create brightness in your garden by reflecting moonlight, candlelight, and firelight. Some flowers even “glow” in …
Type: Blog
… associated with werewolves, vampires, and witches. The plant has been a familiar plot element in horror movies, television shows, and novels. In the Harry Potter series, Remus Lupin, a tormented werewolf, drinks a potion of wolfsbane carefully concocted to control his transformations. As early as Dracula in 1931, wolfsbane casually replaced garlic as a repellent for vampires in film. Nevertheless, …
Type: Blog
… did the Chicago Botanic Garden end up sharing one of the most sought-after strawberry plants in the world with a three-star Michelin restaurant? The collaboration and conservation … to meet Aaron Keefer, the culinary gardener for the renowned French Laundry restaurant in California’s Napa Valley. At a conference in Iowa, their conversation turned to the rare Marshall strawberry, known for its exceptional …
Type: Blog
… These days, we text hearts. But in Victorian times, flowers acted as the instant messaging and emojis of the day. In nineteenth-century Europe (and eventually in America), communication by flower was all the rage. A language of flowers emerged. Books …
Type: Blog
… I’m reminded of the grandeur of the outdoors, that nature still grounds and uplifts us. In fact, short, regular “awe walks”—in any season—improve brain health and emotional well-being, according to a new study by the … compassion and gratitude, the study finds. Winter is the time to cultivate awe. It’s a season in which hidden beauty is revealed—as long as you keep your eyes open. A coworker recently told …
Type: Blog
… What’s the oldest thing in your refrigerator? Chances are that it’s the almost-but-not-quite-empty jar of mustard. … colored squeeze bottles, and grab-’em-by-the-handful packets, Americans are at last tuning in to the taste of homemade condiments. The time has come for homemade mustard—and you won’t … weeks for mustard to reach “mild.” (*Local to the Chicago area? Find mustard powder available in bulk at Penzeys or The Spice House , or purchase online.) Mustard-making Tips Mustard …
Type: Blog
… other outdoor spaces and why are they so important? Housing for the elderly has been provided in many western cities since the Middle Ages. Facilities such as independent living centers, … facilities have traditionally included some form of outdoor space. The Role of the Outdoors in Residential Environments for Aging , published in 2006. The majority of the elderly (over 65) reside in their own home or with relatives. …
Type: Blog
… I experienced when I was younger. People, places, time—all are recalled with great fondness in a single whiff. Also among the list are a number of annuals that are perfect for containers, … ‘Apricot Nectar’ reflect the desire to combine fragrance with beauty and disease resistance in a hardy shrub rose. The Chicago Peace rose ( Rosa ‘Chicago Peace’) earned a place at the top … fragrant. Its yellow-to-orange summer blooms are followed by showy (but inedible) berries in fall. Lonicera flava honeysuckle is a fragrant and hardy variety. Photo via …
Type: Blog
