Visit the Gardens of Chicago, Illinois

The Lurie is more than just a year-round city garden that coaxes visitors to reconnect with nature. The design itself plays homage to the transformation of the original swampland to a bold and powerful city. The 15-foot-high Shoulder Hedge, comprised of arborvitae, hornbeam, and beech, symbolizes the “city of big shoulders” described in Carl Sandberg’s poem of 1914; while the Seam, a shallow rill, bisects the garden into the light plate (symbolizing the prairie) and dark plate (representing woodland shade). A wooden boardwalk floats over this water feature, referencing Chicago’s early steps to elevate wooden paths above the muddy streets and sidewalks.

Garfield Park Conservatory was designed in 1906 by landscape architect Jens Jensen and resembles a mounding, Midwestern haystack, unlike the more typical Victorian conservatories. It was also Jensen who had the innovative idea for naturalistic interiorscaping; planting in-ground within naturalistic themed landscapes.

Today, visitors can enjoy the constantly evolving collections. Lisa especially enjoys the Fern Room, which she says is “a landscape gardeners’ true vision of an Illinoisan prehistoric swamp,” complete with Jensen’s signature horizontally laid limestone to mimic the prairie outcroppings. The Palm House is the largest room in the conservatory and features over 70 palms in a tropical setting, while the Aroid House includes a spectacular Persian Pool complete with 16 yellow lily pads created by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.

The Show House hosts special events including Fleurotica, a botanical fashion show, where floral designers and artists create wearable botanical art to be paraded on the cat walk.

Lisa loves to visit Garfield Park Conservatory in winter, as it’s such a lovely and warm respite from the long, cold Chicago winters.

“I love the Chicago Botanic Garden,” Lisa reflects. “I learn something new every day,” and that, she feels, is key. Although this is a place of beauty and peace, the primary focus of education, conservation, and research is a connecting thread throughout the 27 gardens. Indeed, as you walk through the garden you will “see science happening.” For example, the Plant Science Center includes state-of-the-art laboratories, while the green roof is divided into two different test zones. Lisa is especially excited about the Regenstein fruit and vegetable garden, which she oversees, a four-acre edible landscape where classes are often offered.

Garden lovers will also appreciate the take-home ideas gleaned from the Home Landscape Garden, the Dixon Prairie, suggestive of the wild Illinois landscapes; and the Bulb Garden which showcases year-round displays.

Visitors of all ages and abilities are encouraged to interact with and experience the garden, not just observe it. Whether it is rolling down the grassy moguls outside the Learning Campus or exploring the multi-sensory Enabling Garden, a hands-on teaching garden that encourages gardening for people of all ages and abilities.

Lisa suggests that you finish the evening by listening to a concert on the Esplanade or watching the late afternoon sun set the Dixon Prairie aglow, with the view across the water to Evening Island, before catching the late train back to the city.