The West Chicago Garden Club

This year’s trip was attended by a small but select group of eight WCGC members. Our first stop was in Elwood (south of Joliet). We visited the delightful garden of Betty Nahas. Betty’s garden is divided into a number of “rooms” that supply delightful surprises as one enters each. Betty’s one acre property supplies the opportunity to display a large variety of sun and shade perennials in optimal conditions. While the garden contained beautiful specimens of many species, a Japanese ornamental Willow of extraordinary size and beauty stands out in my mind.

Our next stop was in Monee at the Possibility Place nursery. The nusery specializes in native perennials, woodies, and trees; many of their offerings are difficult to find at most conventional nurseries. We had our lunch on their patio and then were treated to a tour of their facilities by one of the sons of owner Conner Shaw. We were treated to an overview of a number of natives and were surprised by a number of facts supplied by our host including his observation that most of the half dozen Oak species that Possibility Place sells grow at the rate of two feet or more per year if sited and cared for correctly. The nursery employs innovative growing techniques that allow the trees and woodies to be transplanted with minimal transplant shock.

Our last stop was in Lemont at the home of John and Karen Grigas. Their two acre garden beautifully integrates native plants, sun perennials, a large vegetable garden and one of the largest and most impressive water features I have seen.

The Planter’s Palette is sponsoring a garden walk to benefit the U of I Extension Master Gardners Program in Kane and DuPage Counties and also DuPage County Animal Care and Control. The walk is Saturday and Sunday June 27th and 28th from 10 am – 4 pm.

You can explore a variety of gardens in St. Charles, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, West Chicago, and Wheaton while helping The Planter’s Palette raise money for these community organizations that are near and dear to our hearts.

Purchase one-day only tickets for $15, or purchase a weekend ticket and experience all the gardens for $25.

Additional information regarding the walk and purchasing tickets is available by clicking here.

Our Plant Sale, May 16, requires plants to sell and our best resource for plants is member’s (friends, relatives) gardens. Most perennials benefit from being divided and what an opportunity to donate the divisions of a mature plant to a good cause. Customers who buy these plants are blessed to take home ‘hit the ground growing’ plants. What a wonderful way to assist and encourage others to garden! We need your plants! We can come and dig them from your garden or you can dig clumps, bag (don’t forget to identify) them and transport them to Billie or Angie’s house. Another option is for you to pot up your own plants. If you choose to DIY see Dick Darrah for info on labeling and other logistics. A small crew will gather plants from gardens during the week (we will make an appointment convenient to you) and a larger crew will pot them up on weekends. We need skilled willing volunteers at each of the following weekend potting sessions. Here is another opportunity to earn ‘garden bucks’!

Perennial Potting…Crews Needed
Saturday April 11, AM 9-12
Sunday April 19, PM 1-4
Saturday April 25, AM 9-12
Sunday May 3, PM 1-4

Sign up sheets for plant donations and potting crews will be available at the March 26th meeting or contact Billie by email or phone at 630-231-1791.