A circle, a ring, a wreath

“A ring speaks of strength and friendship and is one of the great symbols of mankind.” Those are the words of Jens Jensen, the great landscape designer who celebrated the native and the natural and often included circular council rings in his garden plans.   At the holidays, we hang wreaths on our doors as … Continue reading A circle, a ring, a wreath

Leave No Plant Inside

Remember when plant-care experts suggested that talking to your plants could make them healthier? New studies indicate that WALKING plants will keep your plants extra healthy, extra happy, and extra green. Perhaps you thought that dog-walking was just for dogs? At the Chicago Botanic Garden we’ve been walking our plants for years—it’s one of the … Continue reading Leave No Plant Inside

Forcing Branches to Bloom Indoors

If you are longing for spring blooms as much as we are, you might like to try forcing branches to bloom indoors! Spring-flowering trees and shrubs form their flower buds in late summer or fall before the plants go dormant for the winter. The buds can be forced into bloom indoors in late winter or … Continue reading Forcing Branches to Bloom Indoors

Surprise Lilies Blooming at the Garden

Heather Sherwood, Senior Horticulturist, tells us about the Lycoris squamigera, a hardy member of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), native to China. These bulbs as well as many spring flowering bulbs will be available at the Fall Bulb Festival October 1-3. For more information, visit chicagobotanic.org/bulb.