Jun
18
2020
![Waterlilies](https://westchicagogardenclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IMG_4208-300x225.jpg)
Kruse Garden Waterlilies
By Barbara Darrah
Well, it’s been an interesting spring, hasn’t it? No potting parties, no plant sale and no garden club meetings. With almost everything closed, we’ve spent a lot of time at home. Thank goodness we are gardeners. As spring arrived, we were able to get out into our yards, dig into the dirt and get our hands dirty in an entirely safe way. We recently had friends out from the city and they seemed to bask in the chance to sit out in the garden and
enjoy the hot sun.
Here at Kruse we have been extra lucky because we have been able to meet with friends while we worked together (at a safe distance) to open the grounds again to spring. We watched the tulips and iris open and fade and this week saw the water lilies open up and the heritage rose bushes teem with blossoms. It is truly a pleasure to maintain such a lovely place for others to visit freely.
![Monet's Garden](https://westchicagogardenclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IMG_20190525_123013-300x225.jpg)
Monet’s garden at Giverney
Last year at this time our family was together on vacation in Paris . Ironically, they were having Saturday protests that were turning violent, so we decided to leave town and take the train to Giverney to visit Monet’s garden. It was as lush and beautiful as we expected and I am reminded that no matter how the world has changed in the more than 100 years that it has existed (including two world wars), nature still has the power to outlast all our follies and weaknesses.
Util we can meet again at our next meeting; Happy Gardening from the Kruse crew. If you want to join the Kruse House crew this year,
regular work days are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, though adjustable to fit your schedule. Contact Billie Childress or Kerry Perry or mail the club and the message will be forwarded to both of them.
May
20
2020
![Red Bud](https://westchicagogardenclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/KruseRedBud-300x225.jpg)
Red Bud in Kruse Garden
By Kerry Perry
Wonderful things are blooming in the Kruse House Garden. The back hill is a breathtaking blue carpet of grape hyacinths (Muscari). They are fading now but flocks, bee balm, camassia, bears breeches and penstemon are beginning to peak out. Celadine poppies are blooming bright yellow, as are dwarf iris and the peonies already have buds.
The Red Bud in the back corner of the garden is beautiful – a pretty pink.
![Tulips](https://westchicagogardenclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/KruseTulips2-225x300.jpg)
Tulips in Kruse Garden
The 200 tulip bulbs planted last fall are absolutely spectacular. The tulips are tall, multiple colors, and sturdy; they even survived the hard freeze.
The butterflies are back! We’re happy to have seven works of art grace the garden. Thanks to People Made Visible and Gallery 200, we’ve included four butterflies that were installed around town last year. Included are two that were created by West Chicago elementary students.
![Butterfly](https://westchicagogardenclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/KruseButterfly1-300x225.jpg)
Take a break and walk the garden, immerse yourself in the magic of May.
If you want to join the Kruse House crew this year, regular work days are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, though adjustable to fit your schedule. Contact Billie Childress or Kerry Perry or email WestChicagoGardenClub@gmail.com and the message will be forwarded to both of them.
Apr
15
2020
We are “on it” this year, starting our Wednesday Workdays in the Kruse Garden on April 1st. It’s so different this year since we’re not pulled to Plant Sale activities. Who would have guessed that we’d be in the middle of a corona virus pandemic this Spring, which created the need to cancel our favorite activity, the Plant Sale! It does offer more time to devote to the Kruse Garden and if you have plants that won’t hold until next year the Kruse Garden is always in need of plants. Contact Billie if you have donations.
We had some nice weather in March so we got some badly needed lilac bush pruning done. They look odd but it’s the beginning of a process….a third each year. And the garden as a whole has been pretty much cleaned up. We piled the branches and all the debris on the driveway. We had BIG PILES! Chuck Strayve, the guy who mows the lawn all year for free, came and hauled it all away…..no charge! We are so very grateful to those that help us out! Thank you Mr Strayve!
We have a tree and some plants on order from Wasco Nursery. The goods will arrive in May and we are very excited especially about the tree. It’s an American Hornbeam (carpinus Caroliniana) and we staked out its spot up front.
I hope you all take the opportunity to walk around the garden this Spring. It’s an acceptable activity while you’re social distancing. The grape hyacinths are in bloom and those 200 “shades of pink” tulips we planted last fall aren’t far off. Make a trip every week or two. There’s always something interesting. And your suggestions are always welcome….help too. Enjoy Spring in our garden and yours too!
If you want to join the Kruse House crew this year, regular work days are Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, though adjustable to fit your schedule. Contact Billie Childress or Kerry Perry or email WestChicagoGardenClub@gmail.com and the message will be forwarded to both of them.