The West Chicago Garden Club

Calendar spring begins March 20.  When spring weather begins is another story.  Usually we have some teaser warm days and then reality check is interjected with some blustery cold wind and maybe some snow.  However, Spring, cannot be denied!  We will soon be reveling in saturated green and brilliant flashes of color. The Grape Hyacinths are first on the scene in the Kruse Garden, popping up lovely displays throughout the gardens.  They are small plants at about 10” but pack a wallop of color!  This minor bulb, Muscari, has been in gardens for centuries.  Its dark green foliage emerges in September when everything else is going to sleep.  The thick grass like leaves elongate early spring and send up stalks topped with clusters (look like beads or grapes) of deep blue flowers.  These unusual flowers hang down like bells and have six fused petals tipped in white. The mild musk like scent often goes unnoticed by humans but the bees don’t miss it!  Bees have hungry larvae to feed well before most flowers are blooming.  This low maintenance long lasting bulb naturalizes readily and thus we are fortunate to enjoy plantings likely originating with the Kruse family.  If you don’t have this bulb in your garden you might want to try some.  You will be rewarded for a life time.  Watch for bulbs at our very own plant sale.  We sometimes unearth a few as spring work in the garden proceeds. Continue Reading »