This past weekend, we had the pleasure of having my husband’s cousin visit from Australia. In trying to decide what to do, we tossed around heading downtown (hmm, Lollapalooza weekend), heading to Brookfield Zoo, Morton Arboretum or maybe even up north to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Much to my surprise, it turns out he’s quite the garden fan himself, so off we all went to the Botanic Gardens.
It’s been quite a while since we had been to the CBG, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised and it was well worth the drive! I loved seeing the different gardens, plant grouping ideas and especially seeing it through Australian eyes. We spent the day comparing growing notes and found many similarities, but of course lots of differences given the much warmer weather where he lives.
Here’s just a little bit of what we saw–
Pretty sun garden. I’ve only used Lantana in pots and love the display as a planted annual. I’m trying to figure out how to grow my own from seeds or cuttings, but in zone 5 it doesn’t look very easy.I think it’s time for some Allium in the spring and summer garden. While this is labelled Allium nigrum, according to CBG’s “What’s In Bloom 8/1/15” this would be the summer blooming Allium “Millennium”.This is a beautiful Physic Garden, a garden filled with plants of medicinal value. Reminds me of my first science fair project, a research project on the medicinal value of local native plants. I got second place to a model of an eye.Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria “Royal Purple”). I need to find someplace for this interesting shrub/small tree. Seems to be manageable with pruning, and the color and form are so interesting.
We went through the model railroad exhibit. It was a fun trip across the country, with all the models (except the trains) made from nature.
Then came the vegetable gardens…
Looks more like a decorative border, than an edible border.I’ve toyed with the idea of building cold frames over my raised beds to extend the season. These were filled with fennel, which apparently are not friendly garden inhabitants. Most other plants will not grow well next to them, and if grown near dill will cross pollinate and will alter the flavor of both.A great example of a vertical garden.Tomatoes and onions. Their tomatoes look about as messy as mine.I’m always looking for new ways to trellis and contain my tomatoes. I like the zig-zag idea for a narrow garden space. Seems pretty easy to handle the twine.
Then the storms moved in and we couldn’t go in the butterfly house. Got a rain-check so we’ll be back!
Have you been to a local botanical garden lately? Where is your favorite?
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2 thoughts on “Summer Sunday Visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden”
There’s so much to see at CBG! We have never even seen the model railroad, though I would love to. I have to go back and see more of it soon.
There’s so much to see at CBG! We have never even seen the model railroad, though I would love to. I have to go back and see more of it soon.
We bought the “family fun pack” and that came with admission to the trains and butterflies. Trains are worth seeing at least once.