The West Chicago Garden Club

By Dee Soustek

Summer has arrived! The Kruse Garden says goodbye to the beautiful spring display and is getting ready to burst into it’s summer best. The peonies, irises, bridal wreath, columbines, amsonias, alliums and all the spring bulbs are stepping back to make room for the summer bloom’s.

When the Kruse Crew arrives on Wednesday mornings we always tour to see what’s in bloom. Some of what’s blooming; Acanthus spinous/ Spiny Bear’s Breeches it’s just starting a beautiful display. If I had room in my garden, I’d find a spot for it, a dramatic large perennial with towering spires of trumpet shaped flowers.

Another in bloom is the Asclepius Syriaca/Common Milkweed which is an essential plant for the butterfly garden. Their leaves are the only food source for the larvae of the monarch butterfly. I was reading that they suggest trimming 1/3 of your milkweed in mid June as stems begin to flower. Cut another third in
mid July when the previous group has grown back. This allows for fresh buffet for monarch caterpillars and predators are less frequent at immature milkweed. I think we may try this at Kruse.

The Annabelle Hydrangeas are blooming and looking fabulous. They are considered a smooth hydrangea. We prune them down in early Spring. The penstemon, yarrow and rose campion all are blooming. I think you all should stop by and see for yourself as to what’s blooming, because it too much to describe. The Kruse Crew did some winter sowing and the seedlings are starting to take off and we await their blooms. We started a hollyhock bed, mostly started from seed along the east side of the house looking forward to see that mature. Hopefully, we will see a bloom this year.

All are welcome to join the Kruse Crew any Wednesday 9-11:30. Come check out the garden anytime.

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