As threatened, I mean promised in the last post, here's more on the Spring Fling visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden. The statue of Linnaeus, which was the subject of the first photo of the last post, watches over the Heritage Garden, where plants are grown grouped in their genera.
I was particularly impressed with the Ranunculus in the troughs.
After lunch, my little group wandered over to the English Walled Garden, which was designed by John Brookes, who literally wrote "The Book of Garden Design." Annaliese of Cobrahead Blog volunteered to provide a human scale of comparison for this massive Hosta.
I just love these big, purple Alliums.
Bloody Lupines! They always remind me of Monty Python's "Dennis Moore" sketch.
More Ranunculus with Weigela. The overcast skies showed off the soft pink of the Weigela's blooms in the sunken garden.
Leaving the English Walled Garden, we encountered the sight which was probably the most photographed of the day, the hillside full of 'Champagne Bubbles' Poppies (Papaver nudicaule).
I just had to be different and take my photo of the Poppies growing on the other side of the path.Just beyond the Poppies were more Alliums.
On the other side of the hill is one of my favorite areas of the garden, the Waterfall Garden. The sound of the rushing water dominates, while the spray of the water refreshes on hot days. (Friday was not one of them.)
I haven't been to the Botanic Garden in a couple of years because of the interminable road construction on Lake Cook Road. There's always some on it somewhere, and it seems as if there's always some going on in Northbrook. There have been some changes to the Botanic Garden in my absence, including the addition of this fellow.
What is he doing with his hand? And why is he not properly dressed for gardening? He should be wearing a hat at least!I had to make a pilgrimage to the Native Plant Garden before heading home, to see all my favorite plants, including the Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon media) pictured below.
I must admit, I've never been fond of this statue, which used to be at the entrance to the garden. It's not the style, it's the subject matter; why glorify overgrown, aquatic pigeons?
I must admit, I've never been fond of this statue, which used to be at the entrance to the garden. It's not the style, it's the subject matter; why glorify overgrown, aquatic pigeons?The weather turned windy, blowing storm clouds and rain to the garden.
Time to go, even though there was so much more I would have liked to have visited: the Bulb Garden, the Junior Railroad, the Japanese Garden, the Plant Evaluation Garden, Spider Island, the Sensory Garden, and Ryerson Woods. I'll have to go back to see them over the summer.
Time to go, even though there was so much more I would have liked to have visited: the Bulb Garden, the Junior Railroad, the Japanese Garden, the Plant Evaluation Garden, Spider Island, the Sensory Garden, and Ryerson Woods. I'll have to go back to see them over the summer.
28 comments:
Another enjoyable post. I've had fun reading everyone's blogs and learning a little about what you saw and did while 'flinging'!! I love those alliums, and those 'bloody lupines', well...we won't discuss those right now;-) (My husband and daughter are Monty Python 'experts'...so that line was quite recognizable)!!
Great pics. The botanic garden was a highlight. I especially liked the English walled garden.
Boo hoo...I'm so mad I got there too late for that! Your photos are lovely!
Oh, ho, I can't stop laughing. What is he dressed for anyway? No, don't answer that. I loved every minute of our Chicago stay. You have a beautiful city even if there are a few pigeons and Canadian geese.~~Dee
Lovely, lovely pictures. I did love your fav. poppy pic, and the waterfall, and the English Garden...I would love to spend about a week there taking it all in. But I think my favorite, is your gardening friend. I think he would be a fine addition to my garden. ;-)
Wonderful pictures. As if I didn't already wish I were there! And about those lupins: In a bunch, in a bunch!
Beautiful pictures! Love the poppies!
It's all wonderful MMD, but the hosta photo is too wonderful.
Annie
Hi MMD, I can't believe this is my first visit to your blog! Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful trip. I can understand why that poppy hill was so popular...it's great in pictures but I bet tons more better in person! Fun that you got to meet other bloggers :)
Lynn (NJ)
I looked and looked and looked and still saw just a small portion of the Garden. Your photos reinforces my need to return to see all I missed.
There was so much to see...I didn't make it over to the waterfall...good thing we saw it from the tram! Speaking of the tram~I am so glad we took that tour....it got us over to the prairie garden. I will certainly have to visit this fall. Love your photos MMD~~they take me right back to the gardens. gail
Heavenly!!!!!
Was that the American Jack-in-the-pulpit or a different species? I don't think I've seen one with that dark purple coloring.
That statue was hilarious! I'm so glad he made it into the post!
Wonderful photos. The English garden is my favorite but I haven't visited in several years.
Had to laugh at the statue of the gentleman walker. He certainly isn't dressed for gardening. Can you see the mosquito bites?
Marnie
Now MMD, we both know he is scattering his seed. :-)
Frances
Jan - I'm glad you're enjoying your virtual Fling.
Carol - and I thought the veggie garden would be your favorite!
Leslie - come back to Chicago sometime & I'll give you a tour of the Botanic Garden.
Dee - I'm glad you had a great time. I'm glad I finally got to meet Bear & your husband.
Hi, MGRR - he certainly would be the focal point!
Helen - yes!
RNP - thanks. I don't like orange, but even I was digging it.
Annie - Annaliese is a lot fun.
Hi, Lynn, thanks for visiting! Yes, it's meeting for the first time people you already know, and sharing the experience that makes it so special. You'll have to attend next year's Spring Fling, it's going to be in Buffalo.
Lisa - it's just impossible to see the whole thing in a day. I'll join you when you come back.
Gail - I hope you do come this fall. Then we can walk the prairie and look at the plants up close.
Darla - thanks.
Kathy - it's the American A. triphyllum. One of mine has the purple coloring, and all of mine are descended from a single plant.
ROR - I just couldn't leave him out.
R&L - I was afraid to look that closely. :^)
Frances - ;-o too funny!!
MMD — you definitely got a great poppy picture! The English Walled Garden has always been one of my favorites — maybe because it's so unlike my own garden. Now I can picture you in your garden saying all the things you write about; so much more interesting than just imagining the gardener on each blog.
I've so enjoyed reading your spring fling posts, MMD. Have you visited John Brookes' own garden here in the UK? If you ever come over, I'll take you there.
It's nice seeing everyone's different perspectives on the Fling. Do you know what those yellow flowers are that I captured and you didn't? I had the same experience with the tree peonies--they look perfect in Beckie's report and my own photo is blurred. I have a friend who is a local prairie "celebrity" and have been lucky to see some nice ones here, though Illinois has more. Schulenberg seemed just green at first but then when we walked in it we could tell individual species and that was cool. Fernwood Botanical Gardens in Niles, Michigan, has an awesome prairie should you want a little road trip.
MMD, wasn't it a fantastic place to visit. I need a week next time so I can really see it all. I didn't get to any of the islands. Like you, I was amazed at the size of the hostas as well as the alliums-everything was wonderful.
I want to thank you for such a delightful visit to your garden and Rich's. I will have to go back there sometime to see more of his minis. Your hospitality was outstanding!
What a wonderful time you had! And what beautiful photos you have taken to share. I WILL come visit sometime this Summer and/or Fall. "By Hook or by Crook!" ;-) The word verification is supines... (Check out the definition of supine and supination) You asked about his hand?? Too funny!
Ms. Wis. - I think I like the English Walled Garden for the same reason. All that structure and those beautiful walls and clipped plants are light years away from my garden.
Victoria - I would love to see John Brookes garden! I have a couple of his books, which have photos of what it looked like in 80s. Thanks for the offer.
Monica - I'll have to contact the Botanic Garden to find out what the yellow flowers are. I couldn't find the sign. Road trips for gardens aren't in my immediate future, but I'll keep Fernwood in mind. I'll remember it too, because it reminds me of the old TV show with Martin Mull & Fred Willard, "Fernwood 2Nite."
Beckie - you're welcome. You were a wonderful guest. I'm afraid to go back to Rich's. I still have to feed my kids.
Shady - I need to be supine now! You better come visit this summer. The sooner the better, while the garden is still visitor-ready.
Every post I've seen featuring our trip to the Botanic Garden has shown photos of parts I didn't get to see, yours included, MMD. There's no getting around it--I just have to go back and allow a whole day to see it!
By the way, did I mention I loved Francesca's? I ate leftover pasta for lunch the first two days I got back:)
I haven't been to the Botanic Gardens for a long time. Thanks for taking me there on your tour. I have thoroughly enjoyed the words and the pictures.
A unique take on your fun-filled weekend! Many gardening friends, unable to attend, were with you in spirit. Thank you for sharing.
Love your posts on the SF as so much gardening fun was had by all. Those poppies are geeeeeeorgeous!
I am laughing at the great references to Peter Rabbit, so funny. Love your blog and love your sense of humor. Thought the photo of the view through a pipe looking into a garden very beautiful.
Post a Comment