… On a walk through the Chicago Botanic Garden, you are likely to encounter dozens of woody plants—short, tall, flowering, or simply lending structural beauty … It’s OK to have a favorite. Phillip Douglas, the Garden’s new curator of woody plants, is not shy about listing his top picks. Spending his first summer in Glencoe, Douglas is … the development of the oak and willow collections, and a review of all such plants already on-site. Douglas will also be helping to organize trips to collect plants in the wild with Andrew …
Type: Blog
… If you happened to walk around the Heritage Garden in late June, the unusual blue color of the Moroccan mountain … with flying insects. The odor was not lovely and sweet. I would describe it as similar to musty, molding fruit—not unpleasant, but certainly not a fragrance you would wear. It only … its hind legs with pollen from the eryngo, and they are now swollen and bright yellow. Pollen is also sticking to the hairs on its thorax and underside. It is a good pollinator! Carpenter …
Type: Blog
… can expect good growth in spring. The yellow whips of this willow make an excellent contrast to the snow in most landscapes. The fruit of eastern wahoo ( Euonymous atropurpureus ) creates a … and hoping winter will end, cheering a thaw and higher temperatures. What you might not know is that all this snow has a number of benefits that will help your garden and landscape later … Snow brings an important nutrient into the soil: nitrogen There are not many ways for nitrogen to enter the soil. While planting legumes and adding fertilizer are the most common ways we add …
Type: Blog
… these trees were displayed in this fashion here at the Garden, giving visitors the opportunity to see tropical and subtropical trees that otherwise would not be able to be shown in our courtyards until late May, due to temperature requirements. This crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is continuing to respond very favorably to the root work we did. This crape myrtle ( …
Type: Blog
… 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 outside, such as sticks, bark, leaves, flowers, sand, shells, etc. How to First, collect flowers, leaves, grasses, and sticks. Or gather pebbles, stones, and shells. Remember that trip to the beach? I bet there’s a collection of sea glass or shells under somebody’s bed. Here are a …
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 Instagram is …
Type: Blog
… in the subject in college, when I realized that free food was everywhere once you knew where to look. (The reality soon set in that most of this “free” food was actually growing on lawns and private property.) Whenever you forage weeds and wild plants you have to be careful that what you take isn’t getting sprayed with herbicides—which is why I recommend only harvesting weeds from your own yard, or places you know have …
Type: Blog
… stress with soothing plants that bring calm, comfort, and peace of mind. These plants are said to have many benefits beyond their beauty. Aloe Vera Aloe vera has been used medicinally ever … the original nativity of the plant has been lost. The pass-along plant has been used by many to treat burns, minor wounds, and insect bites, and like many plants, it acts as a powerful air … Chamomile Chamomile can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Chamomile’s oil is said to have calming properties. It is a popular herbal tea that is said to help with …
Type: Blog
… When buckthorn moves in to the ecosystem, it dominates. Imagine a friend invites you to a dinner party, promising a delicious spread of food and libations. You arrive, excited and … to dominate the party. Even if someone brought in better foods that more people enjoy, there is no room on the tables. The kale is everywhere! While not a perfect analogy, this anecdote …
Type: Blog
… Yesterday we moved our first titan arum ( Amorphophallus titanum ), “Spike,” to the Semitropical Greenhouse. Now we are all watching and waiting for Spike to bloom—a dream of the Chicago Botanic Garden for 12 years! Finally, in the next ten days or so, … days, a barely noticeable inch, and other days, a remarkable 4 or 5 inches. Below the soil is a giant corm, which is a type of underground tuber or bulb (some can weight up to 200 pounds). …
Type: Blog
