… + color Gone are the days of a plain side salad on a white plate: today, even a tiny saladette is vibrant with color and flavors. Start with a blue (or green) plate. Add a piquant mix of salad … of nasturtium or chive flowers and let dry. Gently add flowers to a sterile quart jar. Pour in plain vinegar or white wine vinegar to cover. Let steep for two weeks in a cool, dark spot. … Pick freshly-bloomed dandelions (just the blossom, no stem) from a trusted, chemical-free site. Gently wash the blossoms. While moist, lightly flour each flower (shake with ½ cup seasoned …
Type: Blog
… and quite a bit of concentration. What a wonderful surprise. I took a breath and thought: This is it. This is what so many dedicated horticulturists at the Garden have been waiting for, and … over these last 12 years. I arrived at the Garden just after 3 a.m.—my headlights reflecting in eyes of the raccoons who call our 385 acres home—and was let in by the third-shift security officers who keep the Garden safe at night. At the Semitropical …
Type: Blog
… Brian Clark is the manager of Plant Production, which includes nursery and greenhouse operations. He works … since 1979, making him one of the Garden's longest tenured employees. He started as a grower in the greenhouses, became plant propagator, and ultimately moved on to manage the department. He has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of the new Plant Production facility being built on the Kris …
Type: Staff bio
… happiness when Lady Edith named the baby Marigold. Speaking of England, behind today’s trend is an even earlier, Victorian-era trend rooted in the language of flowers. This is a topic near and dear to the Garden’s heart, as an amazing … gift of 400 books related to the Language of Flowers was donated to the Lenhardt Library in 2015. An exhibition at the Lenhardt Library, Language of Flowers: Floral Art and Poetry , …
Type: Blog
… the overall health of all of the turf areas with an integrated pest management program that is designed to reduce the use of pesticides. Fritz grew up in Kankakee, just south of Chicago. He received an associate's degree in agricultural business from Kankakee Community College and an associate's degree in turf …
Type: Staff bio
… Manuel Sanchez joined the Grounds Department in 1987 as a seasonal employee. He was soon promoted to assistant heavy equipment operator with … and Maintenance department. From there, he worked as an assistant electrician for many years. In 1994, he was promoted to foreman in the Grounds department. He also works as a lead heavy … and on the landscape waste program. Under the program, all of the Garden's landscape waste is recycled, along with 6,000 cubic yards of fall leaves from the village of Glencoe. In other …
Type: Staff bio
… questions about how anthropogenic change reshapes ecological processes. I am interested in how species interactions, population dynamics, and the timing of biological events respond to … studies, and population modeling, my research currently explores three key questions: Why is there so much variation in how species adjust their biological timing to a changing climate? What are the demographic …
Type: Staff bio
… In 2017, torrential rains fell over much of our region, particularly in Lake and McHenry counties, as well as southeastern Wisconsin. Here at the Chicago Botanic … affect our plants? Flooding at the visitor entrance’s main intersection The Garden is situated in the watershed of the Skokie River that extends north to Waukegan. A portion of the …
Type: Blog
… for decorating your own home. Plus, they can be enjoyed long after the holiday season is over, adding color and life to your home on chilly winter days. But getting your plants to … will wilt dramatically if allowed to dry out. The plants should never be allowed to stand in water for more than 20 minutes if possible. Poinsettia plants can be a challenge to keep … as the plant looks healthy, continue to provide it with even moisture and warm temperatures in a bright location, out of direct sun. In six to eight weeks, it will begin to lose its leaves …
Type: Blog
… a bit of a kick (and who doesn’t need a little jump-start during the holidays?). The recipe is simple enough to get the whole family involved. Think butter…pumpkin…toasted pecans—what’s not … nonstick cooking spray, and seasonal cookie cutters (and get the camera ready—not that anyone is going to lick the spoon…). This is going to be delicious. Bourbon Pumpkin-Pecan Fudge 1¾ cups sugar 1¼ cups brown sugar ¾ cup …
Type: Blog
