The West Chicago Garden Club

Our April speaker will be Glenn Grosch.  Glenn is an experienced horticulturist and has been a certified arborist. He is an entertaining lecturer with strong academic credentials.  Glenn has been on the Chicago Botanic Garden teaching staff since 1997.

Glenn’s program, ‘Success With Woodies,’ will provide us with all the information we will ever need to know to successfully grow all types of woodies (trees, shrubs, deciduous, conifers). The presentation will cover details on site selection, plant selection, planting, pruning, fertilizing, watering and mulching. Some of the newer concepts on planting, pruning, and fertilizing will be a part of the program. Glenn will also give recommendations on his favorite woodies for your home garden.

Glenn was the speaker at our February 2020 meeting where he gave a presentation on Organic Gardening.

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!

Our speaker this month is David Kusnierz, an arborist from ‘SavATree’ .

David will give a comprehensive presentation of the insects and diseases that are currently impacting trees and shrubs throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area, especially the far western suburbs. He’ll detail each pest and its impact on trees and shrubs found in all our gardens and landscapes. Attendees will learn what constitutes an invasive pest as opposed to a native pest, why the right tree in the right place is so important, and how to maintain healthy trees and shrubs so they can withstand the onslaught of pests and diseases as well as climate change.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.

Meeting Time: 6:45PM Refreshments – 7:00PM Business Meeting – 7:15PM Program