The West Chicago Garden Club

An Encyclopedia of Heirloom Ornamental Plants, 1640-1940, by Denise Wiles Adams was published in 2004. It is a remarkable book of history and horticulture with emphasis on American history that connects us with national roots and cherished past generations. This book is a treasure trove of information as well as heart warming. Much information for this reference was obtained from nursery plant or seed catalogs of the day, augmented and confirmed by period books and magazines. I thought it would be fun to share bits of history on select Kruse Garden plants. Continue Reading »

 “From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens: the garden outdoors, the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind’s eye.”
–   Katherine S. Whit

January and February are months for gardeners to dream.  The ‘new year’ of spring is eagerly anticipated but no need, or possibility, of hurrying time so we revel in catalogues, magazines, & books (now-a-days, Internet and seminars too) for pictures and words to stir our imaginations and stimulate our creative juices.  J. Nuese, The Country Garden, 1970, speaks of leafing through catalogues, “half drunk with anticipation”.  And goes on to describe winter as the gardener’s cocktail hour, “just as in the candle-lit dusk of the cocktail hour all men are brilliant and all women beautiful so, in the catalogues, all plants are enchanting, all bloom unceasingly, all are easy to grow, all are suited to your area.  It is one of the happiest of all delusions, putting stars into your eyes and mush into the mental processes.”  No doubt, Cecilia Kruse and her mother and aunts before her, happily lost themselves in the bliss (or scourge) of gardener’s winter dreaming. We carry on the tradition without resistance! Continue Reading »

Are you ready for the much-anticipated Garden Dollars Auction? We have many items for the silent auction that will take place before, during, and after our dinner.

For dinner, chicken, beverages, and tableware will be provided. Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share, arriving no later than 6:30 p.m.

For the auction, bring your Garden Dollars with you—they are the only currency that will be accepted to redeem auction items. 25 Garden Dollars will be given to each attendee as they enter the meeting. Do you still have uncollected Garden Dollars from this year’s activities? (see sheet on page 5 of the November newsletter for how to earn) Figure up how much you’re owed, and collect them from the welcome table as you enter.

Renew your membership at the November meeting, and earn 50 Garden Dollars!