Time to Take Your Urban Houseplants Outside

Hey, Chicago. It finally feels better outside. Everyone breathe a sigh of relief with me. Sigh. We made it. Now that it’s officially patio season, it’s time to get out and enjoy the sun. Which has me wondering…should my houseplants join me outside? Can they? The process of moving indoor plants outside, called “hardening off,” … Continue reading Time to Take Your Urban Houseplants Outside

Protect Spring Plantings When Cold Returns

It’s that time of year when the sun finally comes out and temperatures go up, allowing you to get some outdoor planting done. But beware the fickle Chicago spring. Perfect gardening days are sometimes followed by colder temperatures that can wreak havoc on your newly installed containers. Horticulturist Heather Sherwood shared some of the things … Continue reading Protect Spring Plantings When Cold Returns

New Year’s gardening resolutions from our horticulturists

Many of the display gardens at the Chicago Botanic Garden may be sleeping this time of year, but our horticulturists definitely are not. They’re hard at work during snowy winters, thinking about all the new plants and planning for the New Year. We asked a few horticulturists for their gardening resolutions for 2018—whether at the … Continue reading New Year’s gardening resolutions from our horticulturists

Deeply Rooted: Garden educators, scientists, and horticulturists are made early in life

A growing body of research tells us that children are better off when they have daily contact with nature. Nature play encourages creativity and problem solving, boosts academic performance, helps children focus, increases physical activity, improves eyesight, reduces stress, and promotes positive social relationships.  Chicago Botanic Garden scientists, educators, and horticulturists credit their personal growth … Continue reading Deeply Rooted: Garden educators, scientists, and horticulturists are made early in life

Behind the Scenes at the 2015 Orchid Show

It’s a sneak peek behind the scenes of our annual Orchid Show! (Purchase tickets here.) All hands are on deck as the last orchid shipments have been delivered, the ladders are lowered, the final moss gets tucked in, the lights get positioned, and the delicate task of watering and caring for 10,000 orchids begins. Behind … Continue reading Behind the Scenes at the 2015 Orchid Show