… In gardening, as in life, patience is a virtue. Twelve years ago, the Garden embarked on a mission to bring a rock star of the plant … of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the titan arum is distinguished by its large size, odd shape, and terrible stench (hence its common name, corpse flower). Plants bloom for a single day every seven to ten years, and it is nearly impossible to predict the day it will be at the peak of bloom. When those …
Type: Blog
… Butterflies are beautiful, magical, and mysterious creatures. Sara Longwing ©Carol Freeman They have to among nature’s greatest achievements. Their transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is truly mind-boggling when you really think about it. Seeing one is a joy. Seeing hundreds at … of photographing butterflies at Butterflies & Blooms in the summer. I had a wonderful time, and was just thrilled with the variety of butterflies and the quality of the plantings. When …
Type: Blog
… 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 …
Type: Blog
… Simplicity is critical in creating a striking Instagram photo. Here are some tips to help you reduce distractions and bring focus to your pictures. The most important thing to keep in mind when photographing for … as they scroll through their feed. Nature is full of beautiful detail, intricate patterns, and delicate textures. However, keep in mind that once a picture is posted, the subtlety and tiny …
Type: Blog
… of the department. Since then, the department has significantly reduced its use of pesticides and fertilizers. His primary duties involve protecting the Garden's plant collections from diseases, pests, and weeds in an environmentally sensitive manner. Tiddens is a certified arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture and serves as the …
Type: Staff bio
… of space design. After a two-year technical degree at École Boulle (a school of fine arts and crafts and applied arts in Paris, France), I decided to study for my master’s degree at the National … School of Landscape Architecture of Versailles. For me, work in landscape architecture is the best way to unite many different and interesting fields, such as art, sociology, and …
Type: Blog
… trail that slopes down from Green Bay Road, skirting the north edge of Turnbull Woods and linking up to the outer road of the Chicago Botanic Garden. But dig a little deeper (literally and figuratively), and you’ll find the reason for that slope: the “hill” is actually the remnants of a glacier. Its proper name is the Highland Park Moraine. It’s one of … path included much deliberation about the plants that were already growing at the site. As construction neared, Garden ecologist Jim Steffen reached out to the Glencoe Friends of …
Type: Blog
… The Chicago Botanic Garden is on #TitanWatch. That’s right: if you visit the Garden’s Semitropical Greenhouse, you will see … ( Amorphophallus titanum ) are now on display in a variety of life stages: in fruit, leaf, and imminent bloom. You might remember Spike and Alice in 2015: Spike failed to bloom but provided so much excitement; and Alice the …
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 vice president of science at the Garden for answers. Why do mushrooms pop up out of nowhere? Mushrooms can appear magical—seeming to pop up overnight. This is part of their mystique. The mushrooms we see are the spore forming part of the …
Type: Blog
… & Blooms exhibition features a huge variety of live butterflies. One interesting example is Caligo atreus, also known as the yellow-edged owl, or our favorite: the magnificent owl. … to the fact that they prefer to fly in the early morning before their predators are out and about. They are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, and are among the world’s largest butterflies! There are a few other species …
Type: Blog
