The West Chicago Garden Club

By Keith Letsche

After delays by April’s cold and rainy weather, the Kruse House garden crew has been working diligently in May to get the garden in shape. The past two Wednesdays were spent trimming and removing dead branches and plant stalks and giving the garden a thorough weeding. Also last Wednesday, the front beds were planted for the summer with marigolds and alyssum. Next week the pansies and johnny-jump-ups in the front and side urns will be traded for clusters of summer flowers. Joining the Kruse House crew since last report is Christina Covarrubias. Not only will she be digging in the garden with the rest of the crew, but will be acting as the liaison between the Garden Club and the Historical Society and planning garden tours and other events to draw more people to the garden.

Although April’s lush rows of grape hyacinths are now gone, clumps of irises and other later spring plants are blooming in the front bed on the east side. In the backyard the branches of the redbud are coated with rosy blooms, one of the real treats of spring. And a new lattice screen, built by Kerry Perry and a friend of hers, has been erected in front of the condominium transformer at the end of the driveway. We are fast moving toward June when the garden will be at its height.

If you are interested in volunteering, our Kruse Gardeners are out in the garden (527 Main Street) every Wednesday morning (weather permitting). All are welcome!

By Barbara Darrah

It’s April, known as both the sweetest and the cruelest month.

Last week, she danced in, made a brief pirouette and flitted out again.

Barbara’s Daffodils, Virginia Bluebells & scilla

Last week, my garden was a sea of daffodils, Virginia bluebells and scilla. This morning, they were barely peeking up through a light layer of snow.  But this is no surprise here in Northern Illinois and we know that she will be back, glistening in the sunlight and bursting with color.

In March, the intrepid volunteers at Kruse House came out, when the weather allowed us, to prune and clean up beds without much to show except piles of branches and brush .Last week, however, to our great happiness, we uncovered daffodil, bluebells, scilla, may apples, magnolia blossoms and a beautiful and bountiful scattering of grape hyacinths throughout the western side of the garden.  I have never seen so many massed in such a glorious spread of purple. [my favorite color]. Then, came the cold and snow. 

Nevertheless, we know that it will warm up again, the snow will melt quickly and April will leap out again to fill our gardens with abundant and glowing color.

“April, April, laugh thy girlish laughter, and the moment after, weep they girlish tears.” [Angus Wilson]

If you are interested in volunteering, our Kruse Gardeners are out in the garden (527 Main Street) every Wednesday morning (weather permitting).  All are welcome!

By Dee Soustek

Went to the Kruse Garden to take a short walk, to see what was happening.  I was greeted by a small patch of beautiful, vibrant, sunshine yellow flowers of the winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis).  I was surprised to learn that aconite is actually a tuber and not a bulb.  These tubers should be planted in the fall the same time you plant your other spring bulbs.  Aconite for me, is the harbinger of Spring.  It has such a pop of color and it is so cheerful.  I hope the Kruse patch of aconite spreads or we add another clump or two.  

Then there were the Hellebores that were starting to bloom. One of the earliest flowers to bloom.  It’s always fun to see this early bloomer. Tried to take a picture but the downward facing flowers were not cooperating.  The new varieties are showing more outward facing blooms, it may be worth a try for this old favorite. 

There were many bulbs pushing their way up; tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, and alliums to name a few.  But there was a clump of beautiful orange/gold crocus that grabbed my attention, so nice with the sun spotlighting their presence.  It sure is a cute little clump, love the color. 

Hope you enjoyed the short visit to Kruse and I encourage you to stop by and see what else is ready to bloom.