… for a remarkable diversity of fossil plants and animals. The Early Cretaceous of Mongolia in particular is well known for its fossil dinosaurs and other vertebrates, but fossil plants from Mongolia are … and vegetational change, immediately prior to the major diversification of angiosperms. In Mongolia we are studying well-preserved seed plants from multiple Early Cretaceous age …
Type: Staff bio
… Rigoberto Montoya is an assistant grower for the Plant Production department's indoor floriculture division. He is … goods. Montoya has been with the Garden since 1996, when he began work as a seasonal employee in the Grounds department. He moved to Plant Production as a seasonal employee in 1997 and was promoted to full time in 2001. …
Type: Staff bio
… few horticulturists for their gardening resolutions—whether at the Chicago Botanic Garden, or in their own backyard. Feel free to snag one of their ideas for yourself. Heather Sherwood, … Michael Jesiolowski, senior horticulturist, entrance gardens I want to include more bulbs in my perennial plantings. Bulbs might not be the first thing that comes to mind when going plant … Pogue, senior horticulturist, Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden My New Year’s resolution is to apply the principles of the Garden's soil initiative. I am very excited to learn more about …
Type: Blog
… to find the seedpod hanging below and to the right of the third blossom. Its scientific name is Impatiens capensis , and jewelweed has some interesting features that make it worth getting … You might expect a plant called “touch-me-not” to be toxic or irritating to the skin. This is not the case. The name comes from a little seedpod surprise. When they are ripe, a slight … oval leaf shape and a seedpod growing from the center stem are evident. Finding jewelweed in the forest right now may be a little tricky because there aren’t many flowers remaining. Get …
Type: Blog
… flora of the areas we are going to visit. We search out areas of the world where the climate is similar to that of the midwestern United States, and we make lists. Lots of lists. Massive … that we hope to find at each of our planned collection locations; and costs: airfare, gasoline in the country, driver wages, botanist guides, food, and lodging. All of this data is condensed … is to collect seeds to conserve and to look for plants of horticultural interest to display in our collections. Invariably, some of the treasures we return with are unanticipated. Such was …
Type: Blog
… Home gardeners can sympathize: not every seed that is planted grows. This truth extends to restored prairies that are grown from seed mixes, … within seed mixes, and their combined potential to power up to the diversity level found in remnant prairies. A healthy, diverse prairie Urban and agricultural development has left us … to a large swath of acreage in the suburbs, she and her team visited each restored prairie site to compare the plant communities to the mix of seeds that were planted there initially. “I …
Type: Blog
… of sending messages as a gift of flowers has flourished over the centuries. Popularized in the Victorian era, when public display of emotion was frowned upon, great effort and detail went into the choice of flowers presented in a bouquet. Each flower chosen had its own well-known meaning concealed in its size, shape, … group. Even the number of blooms was important. While much of the secret language of flowers is lost in modern times, the traditional gift of roses on Valentine’s Day still expresses …
Type: Blog
… as busy ever. Our cool-weather crops include brussels sprouts, spinach, and toscano kale. Fall is a great time to grow vegetables—insects die off, weeds wither, moisture plentiful. If you don’t have much space, remember that can vegetables in containers, window boxes, hanging baskets. Don’t say good-bye to your summer garden yet … ideas for next year. Make a list of the plants that worked and should be planted again. Bring in twigs, nuts, berries, and seedheads to dry for fall decorations or winter wreath making . …
Type: Blog
… Winter is no stranger to Chicago and can sometimes feel like a less-than-pleasant guest. But as the days … or lavender. Make your own wrapping paper: Wrapping paper that is glossy or shiny, or has foil in it usually cannot be recycled. Try decorating sheets of butcher paper for something more sustainable, or wrap presents in the comics section of the newspaper. Try out some of these ideas and get inspiration for more …
Type: Blog
… according to a cookbook from the team behind Blackberry Farm , the luxurious farm and inn in Tennessee. Jeff Ross, farmstead educator and artisan chef at Blackberry Farm, brought that … Farm Morning at Blackberry Farm The barn on Blackberry Farm Ross showed how easy it is to incorporate fresh produce and gardening into your life in his lecture, “Eating Between the Rows.” “I want to open people’s eyes to the edible food all …
Type: Blog
