The West Chicago Garden Club

By Keith Letsche

Seared yellow leaves beginning to accumulate along the edges of driveways and flower beds, nights in the lower 60s and 50s—tell-tale signs that fall will be here shortly and with it, the end of the 2019 growing season. For the Kruse House garden, September is the “last hurrah,” but this year, what a great hurrah it is. With above average rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures this summer, the garden still looks much as it did at its height in July and early August, save for a few withered stalks and heads among the cone flowers and rudbeckia. And with the Kruse House crew working diligently virtually every Wednesday this year, the garden is immaculately groomed.
In the front of the house, the zinnias, and salvia are still redolent with mid-summer orange and crimson. In the urns, light green potato vine and dark-leaved red begonias tumble profusely over the sides, and even the johnny jump-ups, a spring flower, are still lush.
In the back yard the tall phlox, that quintessential summer flower, continues its reign, along with the yellow heliopsis (false sunflower) and the unreal-looking moon flowers.

By Barbara Darrah

It looks like the “lazy, hazy, crazy, days of summer” are coming to an end. August is here encompassing the “dog days” of summer named after Sirius, the dog star. In ancient Egypt, the name of this god meant “scorching” as the star rose prior to the sunrise during the dry days just before the annual flooding of the Nile. Summer doesn’t end that abruptly here but it is beginning to glide away toward autumn, leaving the workers at Kruse with less and less control over the gardens. We can only do our best to keep them weeded and deadheaded until the time for fall clean up arrives.

We’ve had some special times this summer, beginning with the arrival of the butterflies and then “Big Boy” the steam engine which helped draw new people into the city, and at least one family that I saw, to the Kruse Garden. Meanwhile, the butterflies have merged into the landscape beautifully and I will miss them if they go away.

As Shakespeare said:

“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date”

However, in the meantime, we have a chance to share one more magical moment as the annual ice cream social is coming up. Please join us for Summer’s last burst of color and help to support the museum on September 7.

P.S. The deserts are always fantastic. Get there early before Dan’s cherry pie is gone.

The Kruse Garden looks fabulous, thanks to the hard work of some very special garden club members. Join the crew even if it’s for a few minutes to pull weeds. Remember, the weeds are there to grow your character. Our gardeners have tons of character as evidenced by the huge mulch pile hidden behind the line of spirea (bridal wreath) bushes.

Art in the Garden

The West Chicago Historical Society and People Made Visible / Gallery 200 sponsored Art in the Garden at the end of June. Maggie Capettini, a local artist, was inspired by the massive bed of purple larkspur and orange poppies. We watched her create a wonderful painting under the large maple tree in the yard. ZAZZ, an alternative jazz quintet provided really cool music. Wow, they are great! If you have a chance to hear them, do it.

Butterflies

Our own members’ artwork is a hit and has definitely increased the awareness of the Kruse House. During this hot weather, it’s a good idea to leave a water source for the live butterflies.

Colors

Every week the garden colors change. Just when the lavender malva (mallow) faded, the brilliant raspberry colored monarda (bee balm) burst into bloom. Miniature orange zinnias are doing well in the sunny front yard. And the giant, four foot tall zinnas in the back have a fabulous color design. 

Come out to the Kruse House Garden. Bring a friend. Enjoy.