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  • For many of us, part of the joy of spring is heading out to the forest preserves and seeing the wildflowers in bloom. But for Susanne Masi, a plant conservationist at the Chicago Botanic Garden, the wildflowers she … them from extinction." For more information on plant conservation science at the Garden, visit chicagobotanic.org/research. …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … to know that although it looked like a bad infestation, aphids are not really a big problem for the plants. When they are very abundant, it does not take long for natural predators like praying mantises and ladybugs to find them and move in for a feast. … and devour on our flowers, and they will grow up over the summer. The next time you visit, stop by and see if you can find them helping our plants remain healthy and less bothered …
    Type: Blog
  • … stem (monopodial), and the roots stretch out from the base of the stem. Aerial roots roam free of their containers and can grow up to 2 meters long. In ideal conditions, you can expect … 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
  • … dragonflies and tend to hold their wings above their bodies. (See my blog post Damselflies 101 for more information.) Blue dasher dragonfly, female. She looks very different from her male … be found here from March through the first hard freeze in the fall. Choose the right time to visit, and you might even be lucky to find yourself in the middle of a migrating swarm of green … blossoms, but you can spot them throughout the 385-acre grounds. Drop by and keep an eye out for the dragonflies near the late-summer blooms.   Skimming bluet damselfly, female. This is a …
    Type: Blog
  • … Here’s one cure for cabin fever— grow some cool indoor plants and stage them like they’re pieces of art. Potted … you don’t know what to do with? Accessorize it with a tall plant in a large attractive pot. For the vintage enthusiast, there are Victorian wicker planters for ferns. For the no-nonsense … a few inches off the ends, place the cuttings in a jar of water where they’ll root—you’ll have free plants to give away to friends. Tillandsia Looking for a plant that requires little …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … amazing gifts: food, shelter, many medicines, even the air we breathe. And they do the same for the world’s wildlife. Indeed, all life depends on plants. The United Nations recently named … soon. You can check to see if your representative has signed on here . For more information, visit: https://botanybill.weebly.com/ …
    Type: Blog
  • … Advance:  $25 members/$30 nonmembers Day-of:  $30 members/$35 nonmembers Parking is per car; free for Garden members By purchasing tickets for this event, you agree to terms and conditions stated below. * Must be 21 or older to purchase …
    Type: Event for Calendar
  • … More colorful? Are you craving more privacy, or feeling claustrophobic? Think about the goal for your garden and curate toward that goal. Make a simple map A basic layout of your space (including key measurements) will prove invaluable for reference over time, whether you use garden-planning software or a simple piece of drawing … Mature tree questions? Consult your local forester or arborist first, and request an on-site visit. Their expertise and knowledge of the neighborhood "forest" will give you fresh insight …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … are  dwarf  conifers? Simply stated, they are conifers that do not reach the normal height for their species. True dwarf conifers average about one-twentieth the typical size, with most … to 15 feet tall over the same decade.  With their small stature, dwarf conifers can be perfect for a small yard or urban plot. Many types maintain their evergreen beauty during winter, … Blue Spruce) has the blue foliage of the Colorado Spruce in a weeping, dwarf form. Be sure to visit the Dwarf Conifer Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden to view these and many more dwarf …
    Type: Plant Info
  • … are found in many environments with quite differing soil conditions. When choosing a goldenrod for your garden, consider its native habitat before siting it in your own garden. Wet and dry … Garden, Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Landscape Gardens, and McDonald Woods. An end-of-summer visit to these various gardens is a perfect way to admire goldenrod's many forms, as well as note … Notes #15  detailing the goldenrod study findings here. These recommendations are good news for all gardeners looking to incorporate the native goldenrod into their landscapes. …
    Type: Plant Info