… within Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcGIS software utilizing a base map in AutoCAD format and Microsoft Access / SQL plant database. This process includes formulating … the beds, symbolizing and labeling the plant maps. She creates custom maps, some complex in nature with maps and data from government agencies, used for staff publication, intern poster … species verification and assist with classes. Veronica earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Land Surveying from the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine. Her major was …
Type: Staff bio
… kinds of orchids: Phalaenopsis 'Surf song' Phalaenopsis Also known as the moth orchid, orchids in this genus are among the easiest to grow. These orchids do well in low light and don’t need much fertilization; give them a bit of food once a week from April to … loves heat and humidity, but also ventilation. They like bright sun, but not direct sun. In summer, you can move these outside, but once fall comes around, they need cool nights to …
Type: Blog
… Well, here we are with another titan arum in bloom at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (Java, the taller of our Titan Twins, began blooming at … what we hope to learn from this rare possibility. The plants have been named Java and Sumatra, in recognition of two of the major islands in the nation of Indonesia. Amorphophallus titanum , the Latin name for the titan arum species, …
Type: Blog
… Are your summer container gardens in need of a fall makeover? Good news! There are many fall-flavored plants that will provide you with texture, form, and long-lasting colors in both flowers and foliage. I love the combination of purple or blue asters (Symphyotrichum) … of the fall-blooming Salvias or sage can add height and lend to very interesting combinations in your container gardens. Try using cold-hardy vegetables and adding herbs to create interest …
Type: Blog
… After severe winter weather, gardeners face bigger challenges than usual in the spring, due to a “perfect storm” of weather conditions that scorch evergreens, protect … pruned or removed altogether, a polar vortex gives us a few important reminders about growing in the Chicago area and could ultimately make us all better gardeners. Winter was particularly … be replaced. The resulting symptoms, discolored or “burned” foliage, tend to show up quickly in spring, when days are sunny and warm. Bright winter sun and strong winds can accelerate …
Type: Blog
… shears A large working surface Five heavier red-twig dogwood branches roughly 3/8 of an inch in diameter, cut into equal lengths. Heather recommends 30-inch lengths for a front door wreath. … 6-inch ties, but shorter ones will do) Five 1½-inch bundles of red-twig dogwood branches cut in roughly 22-inch lengths (or slightly more than two-thirds of the length of the base branches) Five 1½-inch bundles of twigs cut in roughly 11-inch lengths (or slightly more than one-third of the length of the base twigs) …
Type: Blog
… name: Venus flytrap. We added the wetlands-loving venus flytrap and other carnivorous plants in mini bogs that we created on the Green Roof Garden at the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant … insects with nectar. Insects slip down the “pitcher” part of the plant and are liquified in the digestive juices at the bottom. Dionaea muscipula Sarracenia ‘Bug Bat’ Nepenthes alata … plants are only looking to devour insects. Why do some plants eat insects? Not all habitats in the world have nutrient-rich and well-draining soil. Carnivorous plants have evolved to live …
Type: Blog
… With more than 1,850 known species of moths in the state of Illinois—more than ten times the diversity of butterflies—it is a real adventure … along with visual searches, I have been investigating the diversity of moth species found in the restored portions of our oak woodland. Moths are removed from the traps and then … moth (C tenucha virginica ) are striking—even its wings have a metallic sheen. My interest in moths stems from the fact that many of the species are dependent on one or just a few native …
Type: Blog
… answer to that one is, well…have you noticed that weeds will grow quite well from the seams in the sidewalk? Or from the smallest cracks in the driveway? Or apparently straight out of bare concrete along the expressway? So, seeing that weeds will grow in the most adverse circumstances, you can safely assume that an organic medium such as mulch …
Type: Blog
… year of extraordinary challenges, we are looking forward to all that summer 2021 has to offer in the Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden. Here at the Chicago Botanic Garden, the trials we started … after a strong start this spring, we’re hopeful for a bounty of their pincushion-like flowers in June and July. Visitors and staff were sad to see the long-running panicle hydrangea trial end … ninebarks almost made us forget. A review of the ninebarks will be published later this year in Fine Gardening . Buddleja Kniphofia Sanguisorba hakusanensis Among the exciting happenings …
Type: Blog
