The former "Associates Building" literally towers over Millennium Park. (It's been taken over by a tribe of small blue men, with only one woman, and renamed "Smurfit-Stone Building.")
For this month's "Picture This" photo contest at Gardening Gone Wild, judge Allan Mandell chose the theme "On the Road Again." Bet you thought I'd post a shot from Buffalo, but no. The above photo was taken in Millenium Park, in Chicago. At first blush, it might appear that I wasn't on the road, as I live in what is called "Chicagoland." But I was on the road. I haven't been in the Loop since April, and I've been within the city limits only twice since then, both trips to the North Side, north of Irving Park Road. So when I was at Navy Pier for the Independent Garden Center Show, Mary Ann, of Gardens of the Wild, Wild West, urged me to pop over to the Lurie Garden on my way to the train station heading home. I snapped photos like a tourist, which, in a way, I was.
I used my little point-and- shoot, just like all the other tourists.
Is that really pink Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia)?
If so, I want some from their seeds.
Grouping with Agastache.
Panicum virgatum, Amsonia and blooming Agastache
Another exotic, a hardy Geranium, lines the path.
Here's an old friend from the prairie,
one of the Silphiums.
It looks a lot taller at Flint Creek Savannah.
I used my little point-and- shoot, just like all the other tourists.
The top photo isn't from the Lurie itself, but it spoke to me about the spirit of Millennium Park and Chicago's motto, "Urbus in Horto," City in a garden. Under Mayor Richard M. Daley, the City of Chicago has made great strides to live up to that motto, with beautiful plantings in parkways and medians, everywhere you look. The juxtaposition of the cold, man-made skyscrapers with the flowing life of the grasses operates as a metaphor for the city that grew out of the prairie.
And now, some images from the Lurie itself:
Is that really pink Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia)?
If so, I want some from their seeds.
The river of stuff.
Exotics have been carefully mixed in with the natives at the Lurie.
Here, Perovskia from Siberia rubs shoulders with the native Eryngium yuccafolium (rattlesnake master).
Exotics have been carefully mixed in with the natives at the Lurie.
Here, Perovskia from Siberia rubs shoulders with the native Eryngium yuccafolium (rattlesnake master).
Grouping with Agastache.
Panicum virgatum, Amsonia and blooming Agastache
Another exotic, a hardy Geranium, lines the path.
Here's an old friend from the prairie,
one of the Silphiums.
It looks a lot taller at Flint Creek Savannah.
I hope you enjoyed the shots. Have you played tourist in your town?
19 comments:
That first photo is a winner. It is so well composed. I play tourist here every once in awhile. I always learn something new.
Love the perovskia and eryngium combo!
Oh thanks for taking time to visit and be the tourist, MMD! I love seeing the Lurie, especially in different seasons than when we were there in May. The Eryngium and Perovskia is inspired, I would never have thought to put those together. It is the skyline with the natural plantings that make the Lurie so special. Good luck with the contest! :-)
Frances
Rattlesnake master is one of my favorite plants. The pink poofy grass is purple love grass, Eragrostis spectabilis. I can't believe I missed Lurie the last time I was in Chicago in July. I never miss that place, but time ran out. As it does.
What a great place! Stunning plant combinations! I am trying to grow rattlesnake master from the seeds that I got through the seed exchange.
Great post! I was in Chicago also for the IGC Show (my second year) and I'm always so impressed by how beautiful the city is. The wonderful plantings are just outstanding! Your photos really capture the "peak of summer" look. Thanks,
Elizabeth
It's a good idea to be tourist in your own town. When I was growing up, we lived in a suburb of Washington, DC. We only did a whirlwind tour of all the touristy spots when we knew we were going to move!
Great shots! I have played tourist in my own town, it's a lot of fun. Good luck in the GGW contest!
What an interesting post. I wouldn't have understood what you meant about not being in the loop if I hadn't visited you when we were in Chicago last year. It truly is a City in a garden. Beautiful place. Love the Lurie.~~Dee
Thank you, thank you for showing these photos of the Lurie, MMD. Ever since seeing it last year at Spring Fling, I've wanted to see it change throughout the seasons. I had planned to take the grandkids up to Chicago for a day, but the heat and their activities kept putting it off. Maybe this fall...
Your first photo is a winner, for sure, and I agree it really symbolizes the roots of Chicago, echoing Sandburg's poem. But now I'm curious about those Smurfs in the skycraper:)
Forgot to add, if you find out that is pink Muhly grass, please let us know. I'd love to grow it here, but I didn't think it would be hardy.
Nice image for the photo contest. I love the grasses in the foreground...
Another great photo, MMD! You are so good at catching the light. This actually makes me want to come to chicagoland and visit. I hear there is great pizza too.
Every day I feel like a tourist here in Niagara Falls, that or tourist guide. So many visitors asking directions, and if I am at the Falls with camera, I just fade into the background of all the other tourists. It was by coincidence that I posted this week on Niagara Falls and found this contest today. Great photos all.
Lovely photos and the color of the late summer foliage and blooms are almost like a painting in your post.
I grew up in Chicago and I am downtown quite often, but can you believe, I haven't been over to the garden. This sure has to be on my next visit!
I loved the photos.
Eileen
I love the juxtaposition of prairie and skyscraper...it always gives me goosebumps it's so stunning. Good luck in the contest! gail
What really makes that garden is looking up and seeing the skyscrapers and suddenly remembering you are in the city! It is always a surprise.
Thanks, Monica, for the grass ID. I knew it was too good to be true.
Tatyana - rattlesnake master is a very cool plant. I hope yours grows well for you.
Hi, Elizabeth! Maybe I'll see you at the show next year.
Rose - sorry, Monica says, no, not Muhly grass.
HMH - the best pizza. Ever. Anywhere. Including Italy.
Eileen - I can believe it. I hadn't been to the Lurie in a long time and almost didn't go.
Best of luck with your entry. I have never been to Chicago, but if I do, this will be on my list. I love the nearly wild look of parts of this garden, especially when contrasted with the modern city. I am struck by our similarly themed posts for the contest.
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