The West Chicago Garden Club

Did those gorgeous pink tulips in the front-dooryard garden almost knock your socks off as you drove by the Kruse House?  The name is Pink Impression (Darwin Hybrid)… a coveted award winning tulip with huge soft pink flowers that mature to deep rose. We certainly enjoyed its debut in the garden.  However, the real stars of the tulip show are the clumps of the old ones that were recovered as one leaf loners from amidst the grass. We can still spot a few of those old tulip leaves in the grass and Tom may just try his hand at excavating those treasures. We accidently placed some of the new Purple Sensation alliums next to a lavender-white-streaked tulip in the back garden. What a pretty vignette that produced! Last year the short purple iris was divided and now graces 3 more locations. Its rich color is a delight as it carries the eye around the garden complimenting the bright mixture of tulips. 

The Lilacs and Bridalwreath Spirea are having a joint ‘coming out’ party. It would be a grand idea to stop by the garden and stroll by these shrubs that are sure to provoke nostalgia strong enough to carry you back to a time when the fragrance of the lilac was imprinted in your memory. Alice Morse Earle wrote in Old Time Gardens (published in 1901) of a favorite garden with a lilac walk. “Every sense is gratified, even that of touch, when the delicate plumes of the fragrant Lilac blossoms brush your cheek as you walk through its path; there is no spot of fairer loveliness than this Lilac walk in May.” An experience you don’t want to miss! 

Speaking of things you shouldn’t miss… the 3 types of euphorbia plantings on the west hill are spectacular! Neither of us have much success with Donkey Tail and Cushion Spurge at home but they sure love it on that slope with their feet in some pretty yucky soil. We don’t know the name of the third type of euphorbia so we call it “George”. Really folks, the euphorbia are stunning! Go see!!! 

Of course, all is not ‘peaches and cream’ in the gardens. There are a few aggressive unwanted plants (weeds) that need to be dealt with. We are relocating them to the compost pile and all is under control… or at least we like to think so! We will have more time to spend in the garden now that plant sale preparations are history. We would love to have you join us. Monday mornings at 9AM is our ‘usual’ work time so feel free to stop by and get ‘to do’ jobs from the straw boss. There is always work to be done and fun to be had! 

See you in the gardens – A&B