Get Growing Blog
Connecting people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants.
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April 3, 2025
It’s Poppin’: April 3
By Tom Arbour, M.En., Curator of Living Collections
Things are poppin’! Here’s a quick roundup of the highlights this week! At the garden, magnolias, cherries and daffodils are all at peak. Look for the following: At the Arboretum,... more
March 27, 2025
Celebrate Holden Forests & Gardens’ Successful Tree Planting Initiative People for Trees with Activities at Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Arboretum During Arbor Day Week
March 27, 2025 (CLEVELAND) – Holden Forests & Gardens will recognize reaching its 5-year goal of planting and caring for 15,000 new trees in Northeast Ohio with a special People... more
March 27, 2025
It’s Poppin’: March 27
By Tom Arbour, M.En., Curator of Living Collections
While it’s been cold, things are still poppin’ at the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Things have slowed down this week after very warm temperatures last week. That’s... more
March 24, 2025
30% of Beech Trees Killed by Beech Leaf Disease, New Study Shows
By Anna Funk, PhD, Science Communications Specialist
Long-term data reveal 30% mortality and alarming growth slowdown in the native beech trees in northeastern Ohio, near the epicenter of beech leaf disease. KIRTLAND, OH — A decade after... more
March 21, 2025
It’s Poppin’: March 21
By Tom Arbour, M.En., Curator of Living Collections
Welcome to spring! The equinox is here, spring has officially arrived. With the warm temperatures this past week, things have been happening fast. Daffodils are blooming, the dwarf Irises are... more
March 19, 2025
Dabblers & Divers: Birding for Spring Waterfowl and Similar Species
By Albert Jackson, Conservation Technician
With spring just ahead temperatures are rising, days are getting longer, and ice is melting. For the various species of waterbirds in northeast Ohio this means access to important resources... more
March 13, 2025
It’s Poppin’: Spring 2025 has Arrived
Welcome to It’s Poppin’, 2025. This is the third year for this series- we hope you follow along as we explore our beautiful gardens over the next months. We’ll write... more
March 12, 2025
Lawn Alternatives for Shady Sites
By MaryAnn Thesing, Horticulturist
Beech Knoll is an untapped area of the Helen S. Layer Rhododendron Garden. It is a quiet retreat which lends itself to meditation. Soon after my arrival at HF&G, my... more
March 6, 2025
Spring Into Nature: Explore Blooming Gardens and Seasonal Events at Holden Arboretum
(KIRTLAND) March 6, 2025 – Get ready to experience spring in all its beauty at the Holden Arboretum. Immerse yourself in the emerging tree canopy on the Murch Canopy Walk... more
March 6, 2025
The Healing Power of Nature: Spring at Cleveland Botanical Garden Focuses on Well-being & Renewal
Spring into wellness programs, events and a reflective art exhibit (CLEVELAND) March 6, 2025 – This spring season, Cleveland Botanical Garden invites you to experience the profound healing power of nature.... more
March 5, 2025
How Nonnative Plants Respond to Climate Change: Holden Arboretum Researchers Report
By Anna Funk, PhD, Science Communications Specialist
Scientists agree: Global warming is real, and it’s happening today. Here in northeast Ohio, we can most clearly see the signs during spells of too-warm-too-early weather in the spring or... more
February 24, 2025
The Power of Plant Records: How Tracking Plants Helps Save Species
By Anna Funk, PhD, Science Communications Specialist
If a plant has ever died in your care, you’re in good company. It turns out that even in the world’s botanical gardens, managed by full-time professionals, plants don’t live... more
February 11, 2025
Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Science thrives on curiosity, innovation, and diverse perspectives. International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a day to celebrate the trailblazers who have shaped our world, inspire the... more
January 30, 2025
Witch Hazel: The Unexpected Beauty of Winter
By Alexandra Faidiga, Assistant Curator
When you hear “witch hazel” (sometimes spelled witch-hazel), you might think of the ingredient that is commonly used as an astringent in cosmetics and an antiseptic in topical ointments. But... more
January 16, 2025
Seedling Scramble: How Warming Changes Plant Communities
By Anna Funk, PhD, Science Communications Specialist
Kirtland, OH — Our world is warming, and how exactly that will affect our ecosystems is a critical question. As the climate shifts, plants and animals are already responding in... more
January 16, 2025
Fall in Love All Over Again: Cleveland’s Favorite Orchid Show Returns to the Botanical Garden
(CLEVELAND) January 16, 2024– Let orchids capture your heart at the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show, Orchids: Love in Bloom. Opening on Friday, February 14 and running through Sunday,... more
January 8, 2025
Holden’s Wildflower Garden Is a Living Laboratory for Climate Change Research—Here’s What Our Researchers Have Learned
Public gardens like the Holden Arboretum and the Cleveland Botanical Garden are great places to visit. But patrons exploring the latest Frost event might miss that behind the scenes, these... more
December 5, 2024
The Incredible Life Beneath Our Feet
By Sarah Kyker, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate
World Soil Day is held annually on December 5th as a way to foster awareness for soil conservation. This year’s theme for World Soil Day is “Caring for Soils: Measure,... more
November 8, 2024
Holden researchers put forest management strategies to the test. Here’s what they found
By Anna Funk, Science Communication Specialist
Private landowners play a critical role in preserving Ohio’s natural heritage where a majority of the state’s eight million acres of forest are privately owned. To manage these forests, land... more
November 5, 2024
Composting in the Costa Rica Glasshouse
By Caitlin Weber, Horticulture Biomes Assitant
The Costa Rica glasshouse at Cleveland Botanical Garden is full of luscious Neotropical plants, many of which grow rapidly due to the ideal climatic conditions the glasshouse provides, including bountiful... more
October 23, 2024
The Invasive Threat of Siberian Elm in Ohio
By Rob Dzurec, Senior Horticulturist
The Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), originally from northern Asia, was introduced to North America in the mid-1800s for its hardiness and rapid growth. While it was initially valued for these... more
October 17, 2024
Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience presented by KeyBank, opens November 23
(CLEVELAND) October 17, 2024 – Year two of Northeast Ohio’s most exciting winter show, Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience presented by KeyBank, at the Cleveland Botanical Garden is just around... more
October 11, 2024
Take a Hike Amidst Autumn Colors
By Ethan Johnson, Plant Records Curator
On October 10th, Holden Arboretum had frost for the first time this season! The nighttime temperatures have also been chilly at Cleveland Botanical Garden. These cold nights are bringing out... more
September 16, 2024
Best Practices of Backyard Bird Feeding
By Kenzie Morris, Conservation Intern
Backyard bird feeding is a popular and enjoyable activity for many nature enthusiasts. It offers a chance to observe and appreciate local wildlife up close. However, while bird feeding can... more
September 13, 2024
Edible Mushrooms and Their Poisonous Look-alikes
By Claudia Bashian-Victoroff, MS, Research Specialist
If you are new to identifying mushrooms, I recommend that you read my earlier article, How to identify mushrooms and other fungi, for context and terminology before reading on. Mushroom... more
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