… For many people, lilacs are a sentimental flower. My mother planted many lilacs on our farm in Kansas. The scent carried across the yard as I played. When my husband and I started our family, planting a lilac in our garden was a priority so our children will have the same heavenly memory of the fragrance … failed. The flowers would droop within an hour of bringing them inside, even though I had them in a clean vase full of fresh water. Through trial and error I found the trick to help the blooms …
Type: Blog
… kinds of orchids: Phalaenopsis 'Surf song' Phalaenopsis Also known as the moth orchid, orchids in this genus are among the easiest to grow. These orchids do well in low light and don’t need much fertilization; give them a bit of food once a week from April to … loves heat and humidity, but also ventilation. They like bright sun, but not direct sun. In summer, you can move these outside, but once fall comes around, they need cool nights to …
Type: Blog
… I am a researcher in Dr. Andrea Kramer’s lab at the Chicago Botanic Garden. My work involves investigating functional traits and diversity in plant communities, rare species conservation, and restoration ecology. My current projects include research into intraspecific trait variation in prairie plant species, implications of hierarchical trait variation in plant competition, …
Type: Staff bio
… Francisco Mercado, Sr.—affectionately known here as "Pancho"—has been a staff member in the Grounds department since the early '70s. With many decades of training and experience, he specializes in areas including equipment operation, horticulture, and landscaping. He heads a team of four … that keeps machinery operating and mows the grass on more than 45 acres. Mercado grew up in Lares, Puerto Rico, where he helped his father on the family farm. …
Type: Staff bio
… I turned to Heather Sherwood, senior horticulturist at the Chicago Botanic Garden, who lives in Chicago. She has an open lot next to her apartment, but also has some restrictions like me. … Sunburn isn’t a concern just for us humans. Plants can get scorched, too. Don’t put them in blazing sunlight. Porches with shade are prime locations for orchids and birds of paradise … plants. The outdoors makes your plants happy. A lot of plants really enjoy the strong swing in temperature that only the outdoors can provide, said Sherwood. If you have the space for it, …
Type: Blog
… Research in the CaraDonna Lab investigates the interplay among species interactions, population dynamics, … biodiversity loss, pollinator declines, urbanization). We are also particularly interested in temporal ecology and the flexibility of species interactions. We address research questions … and we love working as a collaborative team. These days, most of our research takes place in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and also within The …
Type: Staff bio
… Even in the quiet months, the Garden’s natural areas are bursting with birdlife. Our restoration … lively red-headed woodpecker community commuting between Turnbull Woods and McDonald Woods. In early spring, the nature trail also becomes a prime perch for watching the warbler migration … their nest in 2024. In 2025, they successfully fledged a young osprey: tagged and weighed on-site by Cook County wildlife biologist Chris Anchor, with Garden staff assisting. With luck, you …
Type: Blog
… invasive, but it can be difficult to predict whether or not a species will become invasive in a new habitat. With an increased awareness about the environmental and economic threats posed … Status: R Remove as soon as possible, including all cultivars, and/or do not add to collection in future P Phase out (species that pose a lesser invasive risk, form significant structural features in landscape, and will be time-consuming to replace will be phased out over a five- to ten-year …
Type: Research
… relatives, pollination, biogeography, and taxonomic revisionary work. I am also interested in applying findings to conservation of plant genomic resources and more sustainable agriculture. …
Type: Staff bio
… Crescent Garden Works great for: groups large and small. Chrysanthemums and Japanese maples in shades of burgundy and wine. No. 2: English Oak Meadow Works great for: families. As our … a perfect picture. No. 5: Puryear Point Works great for: close-ups. Want the grand vista in the background? Head up to the hill between the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden and …
Type: Blog
