… Most butterflies and moths featured in popular magazines and other media are large, well-known species, such as monarchs and luna … throughout the North American West and Southwest. Mompha larvae feed on the reproductive (i.e., flowers, buds, and fruits) and vegetative (i.e., leaves, stems, and roots) structures of members of the Lythraceae, Cistaceae, Rubiaceae, and, …
Type: Blog
… recognize a squirrel nest, called a drey , when they see one. The eastern gray squirrels in our region build dreys in trees for shelter and protection from the elements. What you see as a messy clump of leaves is … materials to make it a dry and cozy home. This month I was walking around my neighborhood in Chicago, and I noticed that three out of four squirrel dreys on my street were located on …
Type: Blog
… Garden’s impact on her life goes beyond the beauty of the plants to the nurturing she found in its Veteran Internship Program (VIP). “I am grateful for the VIP and Garden for providing me direction into the horticulture profession and community. I have reaped the most benefits in a very personal way,” she said, adding that she has been “through a lot of emotional trauma, and the Garden saved me from darker places. I am fortunate to work in a place that has given me purpose, joy, and literally life.” Andersen, 30, who began the VIP …
Type: Blog
… can do “all by myself,” or at least with minimal help from you. Growing future gardeners in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden Planting seeds leads to discussions about what seeds … responsibility and helps them feel they are making a contribution to the family or classroom. In recent years, students from our Little Diggers class, ages 2 to 4, have planted peas indoors and transplanted them outside into the raised beds in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Come follow the steps we took to get there. Planting …
Type: Blog
… tired? Change out your container gardens to extend your displays well into the fall. Gardening in containers can offer us year-round seasonal interest, and we can extend the garden seasons … annuals. Photo by Tim Pollak A fall container with grass, pansies, and heuchera, which comes in a host of leaf colors. Photo by Tim Pollak Change-outs should take advantage of seasonal blooming plants and colorful foliage and textures in prime condition. The change-out can add instant color or texture to the display and create a …
Type: Blog
… cornucopia. This week, I thought I’d share a few tips that both cornucopias have in common. Whether you’re using flowers or fruit or vegetables, the process of assembling a … basic tools Horn-shaped cornucopia baskets are readily available at craft and hobby stores. In addition to a basket, you’ll need pruners , floral picks , a hot-glue gun , a small … that fits into the tray. If you’re using fresh flowers, prepare the floral foam by soaking it in water. Ingredients for a fall cornucopia include apples, leaves on branches, gourds, and fall …
Type: Blog
… plant breeding programs, and plant collecting expeditions. Additionally, she plays a role in the Garden’s breeding and evaluation programs to incorporate successful trials and new … for public enjoyment. Originally, a native of northeast Ohio, Jess has earned a BA in Plant Biology and Environmental Studies from Ohio University and a MA in Urban Geography and GIS from Chicago State University. Jess has experimented in many …
Type: Staff bio
… Pondering the Prairie Series Rosa setigera , or Illinois rose, grows in moist prairies and thickets, and is a typical wild rose in many ways: five pink petals, with lots of yellow stamens in the center supported by prickly stems. There are distinct differences, however. Illinois rose …
Type: Blog
… Have you noticed all the mushrooms popping up in lawns, mulch, and next to trees? We asked Greg Mueller , Ph.D., chief scientist and Negaunee … forms small primordia (tiny unopened mushrooms) under the soil. When conditions are correct (e.g., it has rained enough), this tiny, unopened mushroom absorbs water and quickly expands … the species growing on living trees cause disease. The species associated with specific trees (e.g., pines, spruce, fir, oaks) are important, beneficial symbionts that the trees need to …
Type: Blog
… On a typical day in the Butterflies & Blooms exhibition, you will see our butterflies flying, sunning themselves, or resting in the foliage. If you happen to come to the exhibition just after a rain shower, and the sun is shining, it’s your lucky day, because love is literally in the air. I remember one day in the exhibition when the weather was lousy. It had been raining …
Type: Blog
