{dirt 60631} A Wish for Spring?

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

There is a rush for Spring to unfold.  To see, once again, something fresh and in bloom.  But at this moment, as the light has changed and the shadows have shifted, there is a beauty in the late winter garden that I should not wish away too quickly.  

I have to remind myself during the garden chores, to stop and admire the garden structure, admire this moment of quiet beauty.  For soon it will be gone, and will be replaced with the fast moving, exuberant charms of the Spring storm.

Now is when the structure of the shrubs, the box and the evergreens, look their best with the flattering light and long shadows of the late afternoon.  From my perch, the view along the southside of the garden is framed in box hedges and focused thru a weeping white spruce (Picea glauca) and a narrow arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire') to a drift of snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) now blooming under the Pin Oak (Quercus palustris).  The late afternoon light intensifies the evergreens and catches the white blossoms of the snowdrops perfectly, making them sparkle and dance above the darkness of the soil like fireflies.  As I chase the sun to prune the crab apples, magnolias and hydrangeas, I must remind myself to make time to take in this fleeting moment ... Spring will arrive soon enough.

{dirt 60631} Present in the Garden

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

The garden is full of sights, sounds, and smells.  I can hear (in the absence of planes overhead and a moments pause in dueling lawn services) the acorns falling from the Pin Oak onto the roof.  Rap. Rap. Rap.  The cicadas are beating their drums looking for a mate.  The wind chimes are a symphony in the slight easterly breeze.  The air is filled with the perfume of phlox, gardenia, and jasmine.  And, an interesting dragonfly (a female Sympertrum vicinum) is getting on with it's business.

{dirt 60631} Lawn

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

I don't understand the incessant need to only plant something that must be fertilized three times a year and watered constantly only to be cut back once or twice a week, (not to mention spending money on paper bags only to throw them and the cuttings away) and have a city worker haul it away to the dump.  Or better yet, pay an exorbitant fee for someone to cut it and haul it away.  And, you ask me about the cost of a plant?!  Hm.

{dirt 60631 } A Green Winter Day

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

So here I sit staring out the window, wanting, waiting to get out.  After all, the garden is green and orange and red and pink, and the calendar says June 30th.  But, it's another green winter day outside.  Not so cold that you can't venture out; too hot and so humid you don't even dare open the door (that is unless you like walking into an oven).

So here I sit staring in both disbelief and amazement, looking for signs of crying plants in need of rescue.  But rescue how?  This weather has come earlier (yes, I believe it is due to changing weather patterns, global warming, YES!) than even last year and this is already our third event.  To water mid-day is wasteful and ineffective at relieving the stress.  To erect temporary shading from the desiccating sun and wind is undoable and over the top, even for me.  Although, Larry is convinced I'm still trying to come up with some engineering marvel that he will have to help execute.

So here I sit staring out the window, taking in the view.  The lilies are at their peak, a splash of cool pink swaying in the hot sun.  A hummingbird is dining on the orange flowers of the honeysuckle vine.  The aruncus flowers have dried and browned in the hot west wind.  There, too, is promise for tomorrow.  Daylily buds have swelled, like zucchini, in the heat, just waiting to pop; and, the hosta are getting ready to show their purple petticoats.

The life of a gardener.

{dirt 60631} Park Ridge Garden Walk

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

The stage was set for the Park Ridge Garden Walk with temperatures in the low 80's, a slight NE breeze, and sunshine, sunshine, sunshine!  Just a picture perfect day which brought out 150ish visitors. We talked hosta; we talked shade gardens, we talked caring for the soil and pollinators; we talked moss, and so much more.

Here's a recap in photos.

above.  Clematis 'The President'

above left.  Fuchsia 'Lena' | above right. Geranium 'Grandeur'

above.  Clematis 'Niobe'

above left. Datura metel | above right. Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'

above left.  Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low' | above right.  Alchemilla mollis

above left.  Hydrangea petoilaris | above right.  Digitalis lutea

above.  Hydrangea 'Quick Fire' and Hosta sieboldiana 'Francis Williams'

While I answered a lot of questions, there were five plants that stood out and had the most questions:

Ariseama ringens, commonly called cobra lily, is a woodland perennial native to Japan. It is closely related to the Jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum. When mature, it grows to 12-18" tall with a single stalk containing two glossy green trifoliate leaves, each leaf having three ovate to elliptic leaflets 6-8" long. From the center of the leaf stalks rises a showy, green and purple striped, cobra-like flower in May.

Rodgersia aesculifolia, is a clump-forming, perennial that grows to 3-5’ tall and wide. It is native to moist woodlands in China. It has crinkled, coarsely-toothed, palmate leaves, growing to 12" across that resemble the leaves of the horse chestnut. In June it has large creamy white, astilbe-like, flowers 24-36” tall.

Centaurea macrocephala has bright yellow 2"-3" thistle-like flowers enclosed in light brown bracts on stiff stems. This wasn't yet in bloom but had a lot of interest due to the 'straw cobb'.  This picture shows it in bloom, which will be in a few more weeks.  It blooms for 2-3 weeks in mid-July.

Aruncus dioicus is a native plant that is a tall, bushy, clump-forming perennial typically growing 4-6' high which has showy, plume-like spikes of tiny, cream colored flowers in June. It is somewhat similar in appearance to astilbe.

Petasites japonicus 'Variegatus' has huge leaves that form a dense spreading clump 3’ tall and 5’ wide. It is native to Korea, China and Japan where it is typically found growing on wet stream banks in woodland areas. It has long-stalked, kidney-shaped, variegated leaves  12-16” wide. Yellowish, daisy-like flowers appear in March before the leaves emerge.

{dirt 60631} My Plant Sources

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

A recent garden visitor asked me where I get my plants.  I guess my answer was a shock as she preceded to state that I needed a bumper sticker ... "This Car Stops for Plants".  In retrospect, she may be right.

I have been known to drive as far as Kansas City to purchase Arborvitae Spring Grove, Thuja plicata 'Grovepli', that I couldn't find anywhere else close.  And while this may seem silly to most, you need to know that I already had some in the garden, and lost a few due to stormy weather and substituting another variety in its place just wasn't going to do.  So, on the Internet I went, and then in the car I drove to Kansas City for two Spring Grove Arborvitae and a visit to Dad's.  I have also been known to follow road signs that advertises a local plant sale; after all, you never know what plant nerd out there is potting up some of their prized possessions that have outgrown their space and is putting them up for sale.  And, I will stop if I see a landscaper tearing out someones garden so I can see whats worth rescuing from the landfill.  So yes, this car does stop for plants!

above.  The entrance to the back garden with a pair Malus 'Prairiefire' in full glory.

Since she was amazed at the sources I use for plants, I thought I would share the info for you other plant nerds out there ...

Al's Auto Body and Arboretum.  Yes, Al's Auto Body and Arboretum, Walworth, Wisconsin.  He specializes in hostas and has a unique selection of some older varieties that you don't often see ... twist of lime, golden scepter, lemontini, lemon lime, and 100's more.  He hosts 'Hosta Fest' once a year around Memorial Day.  Its worth the trip to see the three acre hosta farm under large pine trees behind the auto body shop.

The Flower Factory, Stoughton, Wisconsin, is about a 2 hour drive from Chicago and is my source for unique ferns, Japanese iris, Siberian iris and more.  Their catalog is extensive so make sure you go with an empty car.

John Scheepers, Bantam, Connecticut, is mail order and my go to source for snowdrop, daffodil, tulip, and allium bulbs.  My iconic Burgundy Lace tulips come from here.

Hornbaker Gardens, Princeton, Illinois.  I originally heard about this place from a fellow gardener I meet at one of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days.  When I went in July, I was stunned!  Hostas, hostas, hostas, and day lilies, day lilies, day lilies.  Go in July when the day lily fields are in bloom.  You will be blown away.

K & W Greenery, Janesville, Wisconsin.  This a great source for specialty conifers.  This is where I found the contorted Douglas Fir in the back garden and the Tiger Fern in the Fern Theater.

Koepke's, Oregon, Wisconsin, is my go to source for zonal geraniums, scented geraniums, and specialty geraniums.  This is the only place I can find Patriot Lavender Blue.

Meinke Garden Center, Niles, Illinois, is my go to source for David Austin roses and Fuchsias.  They also have the cheapest mushroom compost around.

Milaeger's Garden Center, Racine, Wisconsin, is a source for specialty conifers, unusual annuals, and more.  For those of you that keep asking, this is where I get the large Australian Tree Fern for the Fern Theater.

Northwind, Burlington, Wisconsin, is inspiration.  It has an interesting display garden to walk thru and sells perennials you don't often see.  I was even able to score an antique garden urn here.

Plant Delights, Raleigh, North Carolina, is a mail order nursery.  The Arisaema ringens in the shade garden are from here.  Their catalog is extensive and a plant nerds dream; and, the cover is a hoot!  Every year the cover has a different spoof on the previous years intriguing stories.  They also have a few open houses a year where you can visit and purchase plants.  Next year's open house is on my bucket list!

above.  The Fern Theater starting it's summer show.

If you have a source I don't know about, please, please, drop me a comment.  I'm always on the hunt.  Happy planting!

{dirt 60631} Expectant Mama in Residence

{dirt 60631} chronicles Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

We think about and design gardens for our enjoyment.  However, sometimes nature reminds us that there are others who use and appreciate our gardens, especially in an urban environment ... specifically birds.  Many birds visit my garden throughout the year:  cardinals, blue jays, robins, black-capped chickadees, woodpeckers, wrens, grosbeaks, and more.  And, some birds even take up residence. 

Last year a pair of Cooper's Hawks took up residence in the tall White Pine in the back garden and we all watched and listened to them raise two babies ... we even took to calling the back garden 'the killing field' ... birds would come to feed at the feeder, and the hawks would come to the feeder to feed on the birds.  By mid-July, they moved on and things became a little more normal in the back garden. 

This year, a robin has decided to take up residence and raise her brood in one of the Boston Ferns hanging by the front door.  So for now, we use the back door and watch expectantly for the new young robins to poke their hungry mouths out of the nest.  There will be no rest for these parents; she's sitting on four eggs.  They'll hatch in a few more days and be gone in a few weeks; but, in the meantime, we're reminded that gardens aren't just for people.

When coming up the front stairs, BE WARNED:  Protective mama on guard duty!

{dirt 60631} What Spring?

{dirt 60631} is a pictorial journal of Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

OK, its time for Spring now! Winter please leave.  Temperatures in the 40's and 7+ inches of rain is not typical mid-May weather.  But then again, this whole winter/spring has not been typical.  A dry October and November meant the ground was a frozen desert for the trees, shrubs and bulbs.  And then, no snow cover to mention (yes, this is Chicago), and a cold, dry March and April.  So it's no surprise that the daffodils, tulips and alliums weren't at their best; some didn't even make an appearance.

However, with all the the rain, the garden is a lush green landscape and the weeds are running rampant due to no attention given to them in this weather.  But, the pots are planted, the grass is mowed, and the birds are raising their young ... all ready for Summer, as it will be here on Friday.  Spring, we miss you!

{dirt 60631} A Race for the Fennel Pollen

{dirt 60631} is a pictorial journal of Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

Every year I plant fennel ... the bulbs for salads, the fronds for smoking chicken, but mostly I grow it for the fennel pollen to add to savory dishes and salads.  This year I'm in competition with a swallowtail caterpillar for the fennel pollen.  The race is on, and I'm losing.  This little beauty is a voracious eater and has gotten to the fronds and pollen before me.  Sometime, you just have to give in.

{dirt 60631} Garfield Park Conservatory

{dirt 60631} is a pictorial journal of Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

The Garfeild Park Conservatory is a gem in the Chicago Park District System.  Constructed between 1906 and 1908, it was designed by Jen Jensen in collaboration with Prairie School architects Schmidt, Garden and Martin.  Their intent was to create the largest publicly owned conservatory under one roof in the world; and, they definitely succeeded with this 2 acre greenhouse!  Jensen conceived the Conservatory as a series of naturalistic landscapes under glass.  The structure, which is meant to emulate the haystacks of the Midwest, complements the collection of palms and ferns magnificently.

The Palm House is the largest room in the Conservatory and features more than 70 graceful, and old palms (some with the most interesting bark) as well as other tropical plants from across the globe.

The Fern Room was designed by Jensen to give visitors a glimpse of what Illinois might have looked like millions of years ago.  Lush ferns, rocky outcroppings and and indoor lagoon evoke the swampy landscape of prehistoric Chicago.  This is a fern lovers ( ... and moss lovers) heaven.  WOW! is all I can really say.

Finally, The Aroid House contains many varieties of houseplants growing in a landscape setting around the "Persian Pool" which features sixteen yellow lily pads, which were created by the world acclaimed glass artist Chihuly.  This magical lily pond is eye catching and totally unexpected among the greenery ... the yellow lily pads and the orange koi just grab your eye.

{dirt 60631} Magnolia Madness

{dirt 60631} is a pictorial journal of Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.

The air is filled with the scent of spiced honey.  It's a fleeting moment of grandeur that screams -- 'Look at me! Look at me!'

It's peak magnolia time in the neighborhood and the trees are strutting their stuff.  From the big Saucer Magnolias to the Yellow Elizabeth, they are all in full glory.  In case you miss it ...

{dirt 60631} Sunrise and Bird Song

{dirt 60631} is a pictorial journal of Yvonne's garden journey in a Zone 5, Chicago city lot.