The West Chicago Garden Club

THIS Saturday, September 17th, 9:00AM—Noon

We will be out at the barn on Saturday, September 17th starting at 9:00am. The plan is to be available for members to drop off pots they want to donate. We will use the time while we are there to organize/sort the pots that we have there and the ones that are dropped off so everything is ready for next year.

Our biggest need is for 4” pots that we use for small plants and vegetables and for the standard gallon pots. Trays for both are also great. Ideally, we prefer pots that don’t have names/advertising printed on them, but we will take those. It would help, if you have the chance, to use a large sharpie to cross out whatever is printed on the pot and remove/cross out any labels on the pot.

Volunteers who would be able to work with us that morning and organize the pots at the barn would be deeply appreciated.

“The Barn” belongs to the West Chicago Park District and they kindly allow us to store our plant sale items there. It is located at 30W150 Wilson Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185 at the Kress Creek Park. The park entrance is at Joliet St and Wilson Rd.

What does a Bur have in common with NASA? A Kingfisher with a high-speed train? In this fascinating talk, Kim White will show you many examples of when science and technology looked to nature to solve complex problems. Animal ambassadors: Axolotl, Dart Frog, Crested Gecko and hedgehog will accompany. This talk has received rave reviews every time it has been presented.

Kim has had a lifelong interest in the natural world. She spent 19 years associated with Brookfield Zoo’s Education Department as both a volunteer and employee teaching school groups. She is a master naturalist, a co-steward for the DuPage County Forest Preserve, education coordinator for the DuPage Monarch Project and avid gardener for both food production and habitat creation. Her summers are spent growing milkweed for the Monarch butterflies she raises from eggs and releases.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.

Meeting Time: 6:45PM Refreshments – 7:00PM Business Meeting – 7:15PM Program

Visit the St. Andrew Monarch Pollinator Garden before our September meeting.
Bruce Blake will be be available at the St. Andrews Monarch Garden in front of the church along Geneva Road before our September meeting 6:30-7:00 to answer questions while you view the Garden.

By Kerry Perry

Summer is waning and fall flowers are making their spectacular debut in the Kruse House Garden. Several new perennials, including Chelone and Lobelia, were planted in the front bed.

Turtlehead

Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua) is a clump-forming perennial wildflower native to eastern North America. Its hooded flowers look similar to snapdragon blooms. The flower gets its common name from its resemblance to a turtle’s head, but the genus name Chelone dates back to ancient Greece mythology.

Turtlehead is best planted in the spring or summer to give the plant time to establish itself. The plant can remain in bloom for three to six weeks, making it well worth the wait for late-season color.

Blue Lobelia

Great Blue Lobelia forms a flower spike covered in deep blue flowers from late summer to early fall. It can form colonies when happily sited in medium to wet soils in light shade, but is not overly aggressive. Combine Blue Lobelia with Red Cardinal Flower for a stunning color combo that will bring in the hummingbirds. Excellent for damp clay soil. (Lobelia siphilitica)

Blooming behind the shed is Lespedeza, also called bush clover. It has delicate foliage and is laden with thousands of rosy-purple pea like flowers. Across the path are bright yellow False Sunflowers that were planted last fall.

Blue lobelia, purple cone flowers and black eyed susans

The Kruse Crew meets Wednesday mornings from about 8:30 until 11:30 to weed, plant and discuss gardening ideas. Break time is always educational and fun. Hope you will join us.

The Kruse House Museum and Garden is located at 527 Main Street, West Chicago