… There comes a time in every plant parent’s life when you begin to think about expanding your family. Are you ready for more plant children? Should you reassemble the crib? How will your houseplants feel about … methods for houseplants. Some houseplants, such as pothos or begonia, are better suited to stem cuttings. Others, like jade and African violets, can grow from a leaf cutting. Before …
Type: Blog
… In 2001, Plants of Concern was launched through the Chicago Botanic Garden to track the status of rare, threatened, and endangered species in northeast Illinois. A landmark program at the time of its conception, Plants of Concern has remained a model for long-term, collaborative community science and still represents one of the only programs of … endangered at the time. Other species were included in monitoring because they were considered to be important species within the Chicago Wilderness region. Not only did the Biodiversity …
Type: Blog
… Dye-ing for nature-based fun? Forgo the food coloring and kits, and go for naturally safe, naturally … of what you need is probably already in your own kitchen and pantry. The tools you’ll need to create your own egg dyes Step 1: Gather your supplies. Stainless steel utensils and glass containers won’t stain; always rinse utensils as you go from color to color, so there’s no contamination. Pint and half-pint Ball jars or heat-safe glass bowls (the …
Type: Blog
… Life on the prairie hasn’t been a breeze for the beautiful eastern prairie fringed orchid ( Platanthera leucophaea) . Once common across … same time, large portions of its wet prairie, sedge meadow, and wetland habitat were converted to agriculture. By 1989, just 20 percent of the original population of Platanthera leucophaea remained, and the orchid was added to the federally threatened species list. The struggles of the captivating orchid did not go …
Type: Blog
… Cathy Thomas is the plant propagator for the Plant Production department. One of her responsibilities is sowing seeds for the annual … and camps. She is especially interested in the complex strategies that plants have developed to prevent the germination of their seeds until conditions are favorable for the seedlings' survival. In her work, she researches and tests different techniques to break these germination inhibitors present in the seeds of native plants grown for restoration …
Type: Staff bio
… We’ve officially reached planting season, and it is now safe to put in warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs, and vegetables. Horticulturists at the Chicago Botanic Garden do recommend waiting until Memorial Day for cold-sensitive plants such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash. Happy planting! … these tips from the Garden’s Plant Information Service: Pinch back one-third of new growth to encourage stocky habit (except vines). Be sure newly purchased annuals have been hardened off …
Type: Blog
… Show of hands: Who’s ready for spring? We are, too. Thankfully, the bright, blooming containers in the Heritage Garden at … been planting these signature troughs for the past 15 years—it’s one of his favorite things to do each spring. The bright, colorful troughs in the Heritage Garden welcome visitors every spring. “After a long, drawn-out winter, it’s nice to have something that cheers people up,” said Soulsby. “It cheers us up, too, to see visitors …
Type: Blog
… I’m thinking ahead about comfort plants—ones that lift your spirits. As senior horticulturist for the Regenstein Center Greenhouses at the Chicago Botanic Garden, I talk to a lot of people about indoor plants. I get that you want potted plants that are easy to take care of (hello, spider plant). But there are other reliable ones with a bit more charm to …
Type: Blog
… Rigoberto Montoya is an assistant grower for the Plant Production department's indoor floriculture division. He is responsible for the day-to-day care of plants, and he comes up with innovative ways to grow the specialty crops for display. He also assists with the delivery of plants to the …
Type: Staff bio
… Wisconsin. Here at the Chicago Botanic Garden, high water levels in the Skokie River forced us to close on July 13 and 14—the first time in the Garden’s history that we closed to visitors for two consecutive days. So what exactly happened that required us to close? And how did the …
Type: Blog
