from gardener Gloria Barry at Pollinators Welcome.
The Lurie Garden sits on the southeast corner of Millenium Park in Chicago. The Art Institute is to the south with busy Michigan Ave and its highrise skyline to the west. It is a 2 1/2 acre section of rooftop garden sitting over commuter rail lines and an underground garage. Not where you would expect to find a garden that aims to reconstruct the complexity of a natural environment, albeit within the confines of a highly stylized design.
I have been privileged to a weekly viewing of the maturing of this public garden since I became a volunteer gardener at the Lurie. In March of 2005 Colleen Schuetz,the head horticulturist, offered several volunteer opportunities to our soon-to-graduate class of Master Gardeners. Keeping bindweed and oxalis at bay has afforded an up close and personal experience with this style of planting.
The fact that this garden is beautiful is no surprise, with talent like Piet Oudolf and Gustafso
n Guthrie involved. What is unique about this public space is the way it works with nature. The plants are tough, picked to thrive in the existing conditions. Many of the perennials are native to North America. All are chosen to fit the climate and soil found in this garden, without coddling. The botanical diversity assures discoveries that surprise and delight every time you visit.
There's no boring sameness ever,even in winter as the ravages of wind and snow bring down the mass of last year's growth. There is a cycle...of birth, life, death and rebirth. Wet or dry,very hot or unusually cool. The main players change, favored by cicumstance to stand out--and that includes the pests. Plants are not force-fed to grow larger and bloom longer like some perpetual beauty queen. Each is allowed to do its best in its time.
Although not designed as a wildlife habitat, the Lurie easily qualifies. A diversity of plant species provide nectar,pollen and seed. A lack of pesticides or herbicides keeps the insect population high. Each migration season brings more bird visits. Strolling through the garden in late summer you will see clouds of monarch butterflies fluttering past and hanging from flowers like ornaments from a Christmas tree. Neighboring City Hall honeybees forage on warm sunny days.
When I talk with visitors that are moved to say something, it becomes clear that though not everyone loves it, everyone feels it. This connection, this alliance with nature, feeds a growing need in gardeners and urban park visitors for a space outside that is green and growing and seems to take into consideration the often accompanying concern...for themselves and the earth.
Want to know more? Check out this fantastic slide show that illustrates Oudolf's idea of what birth, life, and death in a garden is all about. And then head over to Northwind Perennial Farm, which supplies the plants for the Lurie garden, and finally, visit our friends at Powell's to get a look at Oudolf's inspiring books.
Great post! It had me reading and clicking for much longer than I'd intended. The Lurie Garden site has some great info but I wish it included a plan of the garden, plus an explanation of its name. Maybe I'll just have to go for a visit sometime.
The slide show was awesome. Death never looked so good.
Posted by: susan harris | December 25, 2006 at 10:34 AM
COOL! I really liked the slideshow, especially the Death series. Very cool.
Posted by: chuck b. | December 25, 2006 at 10:36 AM
Very cool post! Thanks for sharing such a great story Gloria. I have yet to visit Chicago, but when I finally get over there, I'll be sure to visit the Lurie Garden.
Posted by: JLB | December 27, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Hi Gloria - my son and daughter-in-law took me to this garden in June 2005. It was such a wonderful place, and since we knew what the area looked like before the construction started, we could appeciate the transformation even more!
Congratualtions on being a part of the Lurie Garden.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Posted by: Annie in Austin | January 01, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Brilliant site, such a change from the sterile themed designer gardens that have become so popular.
Stunning slide show,it is so nice to see a garden where the plants are more than just a bit of decoration for hard landscaping.
I am totally impressed,
Posted by: Evessin | March 16, 2007 at 06:25 AM