My garden’s Open Day is this Saturday, May 18. I’m hard at work primping and propping the garden to get it looking it’s best for you. So, cancel everything else and come on over. I’d love to see you here!
I was in Evanston, Illinois this past weekend and even though part of that time it was cold and wet, I was struck by how much horticultural effort is put into making the heart of the city look attractive. Tulips waved madly in bright colors on traffic islands, pocket parks and around trees along the streets. So cheery and seasonal. And very easy to do. I’m eager to see what the next plantings of annuals will be.
But beyond the show of annuals, I observed that there is a thoughtful approach to infusing seasonal color and fragrance in the landscape through the use of perennials. A small park dividing a busy road, is bordered with hedges of viburnum. I smelled the park before I noticed it! The viburnums were in full bloom and the fragrance wafted far and wide. Pure heaven. As though reminding pedestrians to pause a moment and refresh the spirit – be present. What a lovely idea. Flower beds within the park abounded in tulips but there were many perennials emerging through. Three benches and a single sculpture completed this perfect oasis.
Swathes of Virginia bluebells carpeted several other green spaces for the public to enjoy and under many hedges I noticed abundant lily-of-the-valley leaves unfurling in readiness for the sweet bells of white to perfume the days ahead – subliminally cheering the outlooks of passers-by.
I had hoped to visit Millennial Park in Chicago and take in the plantings but my schedule did not permit it. Instead, I got to experience the glorious efforts of a much smaller city that could match its big neighbor handily. My well is full.
Note : Enjoy some images of plantings in Evanston. I look forward to seeing you in my garden this Saturday!
Depending on which device you are reading this, some images appear on their side. I have no idea how to fix it. My apologies! Also, the pocket park appears expansive in the photos – it isn’t in reality!
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- The tiny park with viburnum hedges
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- Flower beds
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- Sculpture
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- Traffic island
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- Lily-of-the-valley
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- Anemone blanda
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- More tulips
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- Virginia bluebells
(c) 2019 Shobha Vanchiswar
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Thanks for this post! Urban landscaping is a joy, and many who don’t spend time in cities mistakenly think they’re concrete wastelands. I was in my hometown of Philadelphia last week, and I was struck yet again by the abundance of window planters in Center City. People don’t have big yards, but that doesn’t mean they can’t partake in the joy that is planting flowers! These planters enrich the views of everyone walking up and down those streets. I have a vivid childhood memory of my mother teaching me to identify some of the flowers we saw in those planters, and I’ll never forget her telling me that pansies had “faces.” To this day, pansies are still one of my favorite flowers! Anyway, good luck with the “show” this Saturday – so wish I could be there!
Thanks Sylvia. I wish you were here too!
– Shobha