Chicago’s Lurie Garden in May
Earlier this week Judy was walking to the Millenium Park garage in downtown Chicago but, prompted by the mild weather and clear light, took a detour into the Lurie Garden. The views were sublime – full of blues, purples, and whites – and Judy took some photos with her cell phone. They came out pretty well, I think, so I’m sharing them here.
There were still plenty of late tulips blooming. The white tulips are especially striking. I think these are ‘Maureen’, ‘Ivory Floradale’, and ‘Spring Green’. As always, it’s the urban setting just as much as the plant palette that makes this garden so exciting. That’s the Pritzker Pavilion behind the hedge.
She also saw a mix of the medium and dark purple ‘Don Quichotte’ and ‘Queen of Night’.
The river of salvia has not yet achieved its full flow, as the bloom is just starting. Salvia varieties include ‘Amethyst’, ‘May Night’, ‘Blue Hill’, and ‘Purple Rain’.
Lurie also has masses of blue star (Amsonia), including ‘Blue Ice’ and willow leaf blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia).
Another native blooming was prairie smoke (Geum trifolium), with white tulips in the foreground. You can see in this picture also that the winter took a toll on the hedges that border the garden to the north and west. Fortunately the hedges are made of a mix of woody plants, including Japanese yew, arborvitae, and hornbeam. This makes it less vulnerable to winter damage and other problems.
The overall feel of the garden right now is of soft green mounds with patches and dots of color.
What is your favorite urban garden?
I would say that this is one of my favorites for sure! The white tulips are amazing and I am thinking I should plant more blue star because in those mass plantings it is just fantastic! Outstanding pictures and a wonderful weekend to you! Nicole
Blue star is an incredible plant for sun or shade. If you plant Arkansas blue star you get great foliage color in fall.
Absolutely beautiful and thank you for posting.
You’re welcome. Judy just wishes she had her regular camera.
I’m really impressed with the green spaces in Chicago; this and the botanic garden are both fantastic. I also loved the High Line in New York, urban planting at its most exciting. I think some of the white tulips might be White Dream.
Actually, there is a plant list for the Lurie Garden on line:
http://www.luriegarden.org/plantlife-list.
Thanks I’ll check it out.
I’d be interested in seeing the garden change throughout the year. It looks a beautiful space
We intended to do a monthly post on the Lurie Garden last year, but it never happened. Maybe we’ll give it a shot this year.
I’ve only seen the garden once, in late June, and it was spectacular. Are the tulips persist or are they planted each year?
I believe their tulips are all species or “perennial” hybrids like Darwin hybrids and Kaufmanniana.
A wonderful garden. I love the idea of a river of salvias in different shades.
I love the third shot down with the buildings in the background, celebrating the urban setting.
It is dramatic, isn’t it?
Lovely. 🙂
Thank you!
What a beautiful garden, I’m in love with the white tulips!xxx
I know, they seem to be glowing. I was thinking maybe I need some white ones next year.
I am not sure if it exactly qualifies as a ‘garden’ since it feels more like a forest but without any hestiation I would vote for Stanley Park in Vancouver. Words are inadequate to express its perfection.
Like Marian St.Clair I had to wonder if the tulips had naturalized or if they were replaced each year. Thx for including the plant list.
Been there! Yes, it is beautiful.
Wow, this is a really lovely report and Judy captured the morning light on the garden beautifully. Looking forward to hearing much more about the Laurie Gardens.
We’re thinking of doing a post at the end of every month through September. And Judy will remember to bring her good camera.
We don’t really have an urban garden but I remember the salvia in that one last year and it was really beautiful.
The Salvia blooming is one of the highlights of the year at Lurie Garden.
I’d like to see monthly posts on the Lurie Gardens. Visiting via blog is a nice experience and I’m sure there’s more than enough for a post every few weeks… not that your own garden isn’t enough!
We’re going to try to make that happen.
I’ve never been there but it must be fantastic. I wonder if they plant the bulbs new every year? They certainly put on a good show this spring. I must admit that I don’t like cities very much and usually visit gardens in the country.
I think the bulbs they use are Darwin hybrids and kaufmanniana so are relatively perennial.
Gorgeous place.
One of my favorites.
great photos!
Especially considering they were taken with a phone. Judy is a pretty good photographer;
I really have to see this garden one day. I love the Salvia and blue star. The “waves” are wonderful there.
Yes, the I really like the gentle mounds of different textures and sizes, and it all melds together.
I always enjoy your posts about this garden and it’s location smack dab in the middle of the city!
This garden really excites me after the several posts you’ve done on it. The wide space allows for such beautiful flowing plantings. I’m happy to see you plan more Lurie Garden posts.
Probably because I know it better, my favorite urban garden is Lan Su, the Portland Chinese Classical garden, but I’m also a big fan of the High Line In NYC.
Stunning, what a wonderful thing to have in a public space.
I don’t get to see too many urban gardens but this is one I would like to visit.
I’m sure you would enjoy it.