… boxes hint at the spirit of America’s first botanist and the oldest surviving botanic garden in the country. Nestled inside each box are thought-provoking items, including pieces of a tulip … such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, is now a 45-acre National Historic Landmark in Philadelphia. “It’s an amazing place,” said Owen. “It’s just beautiful. There are still hundreds of gorgeous [original] trees.” In 2010, after a fierce storm felled several trees on the grounds, Bartram’s Garden devised a …
Type: Blog
… The world could use a little more beauty right now. Why not help create some in nature? Try your hand at ephemeral nature art. It’s simple and relaxing, and something the whole family can do. Ephemeral art uses found materials and is created and left in the environment. It is temporary and evolving. The materials can include anything you find … no predetermined outcome. It is about taking time to notice the inherent beauty and symmetry in the materials rather than any one image—a pile of stacked stones, a river made from colored …
Type: Blog
… from science class, as the chemical that makes leaves green. But ask why leaves turn color in the fall, and we get vague quickly. Colder temperatures? Shorter days? True, but there’s more to the story. American smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus) turns a brilliant yellow late in the season— after it has gone through burgundy and bright red. A summer leaf, full of chlorophyll, looks green. But once chlorophyll production stops in fall, the colors overwhelmed by green are revealed: yellow, orange, or brown, the colors of …
Type: Blog
… Female Butterfly At Butterflies & Blooms on Monday, I saw something I had never seen before in my five years as a butterfly wrangler at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I noticed that a leopard … by the lacewing, which sat on the tip of my finger. Then it took flight and was free in the blink of an eye. Luckily, one of our volunteers snapped some beautiful photos. Later, it … has been on display to visitors. I have been feeding it by hand, using a piece of foam dipped in fruit juice and Gatorade, which the butterfly seems to love. Here is a little information …
Type: Blog
… a rose is best.” But what is it about dahlias that has attracted so many fans and admirers? In our effort to describe the joys of dahlia gardening, members of the Central States Dahlia … ‘Harvey Koop’ Size does matter. Of the 70,000 varieties developed, dahlia blooms range in size from the miniatures, just 12 inches tall with 2-inch blooms, to the huge “dinnerplates,” … glossy-leaved plants that grow up to 6 feet tall and bloom with flowers 10 to 12 inches in diameter. As one member said: “I love giant flowers! The ‘dinnerplates’ are showstoppers!” …
Type: Blog
… In late October 2012 when I was driving down a country road in rural northwest Illinois, I spotted some bright sky-blue asters blooming near the corner of a woodlot. I was traveling between nature preserves in this area of the state collecting seeds for the Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank , …
Type: Blog
… by combining the energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. Over the years in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, we've seen the way people have reacted to the autumn … Chicago Botanic Garden have reminded us how people have reacted to winter squash and pumpkins in past years when they were on display. There was pure joy as our visitors encountered the great … the giant pumpkins are just one example of the diverse Cucurbita garden art that we once grew in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden. While they seem to be called “squash,” “pumpkin,” and “gourd” …
Type: Blog
… In 2017, I spent a lot of time in the Regenstein Center, around the Lenhardt Library's librarian’s suite, Skyping in the Library’s rare book room, training at the circulation desk, and maybe even having lunch in the break room. I’m Alicia Esquivel, and I worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lenhardt …
Type: Blog
… 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
