… and conservation initiative began after Garden horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg happened to meet Aaron Keefer, the culinary gardener for the renowned French Laundry restaurant in California’s Napa Valley. At a conference in Iowa, their conversation turned to the rare Marshall strawberry, known for its exceptional flavor. Keefer mentioned that he would … where the prepaid lunch tasting menu begins at $310 a person. Marshall strawberry What is the Marshall strawberry? The Marshall strawberry has a storied history. In the early twentieth …
Type: Blog
… Garden’s Nature Preschool. The dedicated places are a mindful way for people of any age to check in with and be present in the natural world. Choosing a Spot The best kind of sit-spot is one that you feel comfortable in and familiar with. So choose a natural area that is easily … use an old towel or jacket. You can have a family sit-spot or one that’s just for you. How to Settle into Your Sit-Spot Try to visit your sit-spot once a week. Start with a five-minute …
Type: Blog
… North Branch Trail at the south end of the Chicago Botanic Garden near Dundee Road. The osprey is listed as an endangered species in Illinois, which means it’s at risk of disappearing as a … species. Fish-eating raptors that migrate south and winter from the southern United States to South America, osprey are often seen during their migrations—yet few remain in Illinois to … attacking the young. FOCR and the FPCC sought out the Garden as a partner for an installation site, in large part owing to the Garden’s strong conservation messaging and proximity to other …
Type: Blog
… and textures. Nancy chose red roses, yellow mums, red-yellow mums, and hypericum berries to give the arrangements some variety. Paint Thanksgiving mason jars. If you want to up your Thanksgiving game, paint your vases in holiday colors such as brown, orange, and … jars to give them a vintage look. Save time by measuring flowers. Nancy’s time-saving hack is to trim one flower with pruners and remove foliage at the bottom of the stem. Place that …
Type: Blog
… A number of tropical and semitropical bulbs can be used indoors to brighten up the winter months. Long-lasting blooms of amaryllis, Star-of-Bethlehem, and cyclamen are welcome additions to winter white. Hippeastrum ‘Amalfi’ in the Semitropical Greenhouse Hippeastrum papilio by … dubium Star-of-Bethlehem Another beautiful—but less common—plant that provides winter cheer is Ornithogalum ‘Bethlehem’ , or Star-Of-Bethlehem. These bulbs produce a 1- to 1½-foot-tall …
Type: Blog
… In August, when the jewelweed and cardinal flowers bloom, the ruby-throated hummingbird is migrating. It’s perfect timing, because the hummingbirds get energy for their journey southward by sipping nectar from the blossoms of these plants native to northern Illinois. Ruby-throated hummingbird © Carol Freeman The ruby-throat is the only hummingbird to breed in eastern North America, and these tiny jewels are somewhat common nesters in Cook …
Type: Blog
… Conifer Garden Waterfall Garden Sensory Garden Circle Garden Lakeside Gardens Heather Sherwood is the senior horticulturist for the Helen and Richard Thomas English Walled Garden. She also is responsible for the West Flower Walk, McGinley Pavilion, Runnells Courtyard, and Searle … 2000, when she started out as a grower for the Plant Production department. She was promoted to supervisor of specialty areas in 2003 and then moved into her current position in 2005. …
Type: Staff bio
… know that one in every three bites of food you take required a pollinator visit? Pollination is essential for many of our favorite foods—from almonds to vanilla, and so many fruits and vegetables in between. The decline of pollinators around the … in the lid. I recall with pleasure catching and admiring monarchs up close until it was time to set them free. I worry that children may not have that simple pleasure much longer. After an …
Type: Blog
… house. Yes, I do indeed grow orchids at home. I haven’t counted them recently, but I’d admit to 50-plus plants. I simply find orchids to be fascinating for their seemingly infinite variations of flower sizes, shapes, colors, … wide flowers of an intense orange-red on a plant no larger than 3 inches tall. S. coccinea is a challenge to grow at all, let alone grow well, but its hybrids are much easier to cultivate, …
Type: Blog
… you use them? We asked horticulturist Nancy Clifton, who brought five really fresh ideas to the table. Today’s blue plate special: flavorful greens finished with blue flower petals. 1. … + 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 … 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
