Late March Blooms at the Lurie Garden
Friday was one of those days that inspires people to ignore the calendar and don short sleeved shirts and the like. After a mostly wintry March it was most welcome, and so I took the opportunity to walk over to the Lurie Garden during my lunch break.
There are a number of early spring blooms to be found now at Lurie, like the species Tulip T. humilis ‘Violacea Black Base’ (thanks to Laura Ekasetya of the Lurie Garden for the IDs).
Overall, though, Lurie looks like it has been subjected to a very close haircut.
Still, there are already some dots and drifts of color, like the tulip above and these blue Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa forbesii).
These are really wonderful early spring blooms, and they’re one of my favorite colors. And yet I have none in my garden. Someone has been falling down on the job.
There are also little patches of Tubergen Squill (Scilla mischtschenkoana) scattered around. These are nice, but they don’t thrill me. That little shadow in the corner is me holding my camera/phone. I have to remember to keep my shadow out of my pictures.
I wonder why they haven’t planted Siberian Squill (Scilla sibirica) at Lurie? Perhaps because there are already such massive drifts of this naturalizing bulb along Lincoln Park.
After a glorious Friday we have had a weekend of nothing but clouds and rain. This could have been predicted by a scientific principle Judy and I have discovered, which we refer to as The Natural Perversity of Events.
Even so, the appearance of these little flowers is heartening. They confirm that the arrival of Spring is not, unlike so much else, Fake News.
gardeninacity 
I used to have a big swath of Chionodoxa in my front garden 2 houses ago. Squills can actually become invasive and take out other small spring ephemerals..
Unfortunate about the Squills. They’ve spread in our garden, but not that aggressively.
I have puddles everywhere. More rain is coming. What a mess out there.
Yes, and it’s still raining even today.
Lovin’ this warmer weather despite the rain.
Agreed.
I hope that warm sunny day makes it this far east. I haven’t seen one in a while.
I hope so, too!
Love the chionodoxa, I have lots of the lovely blue ones out now, you must plant some. We had a lovely warm weekend here, so cheering!xxx
Lucky you, with all those Chionodoxxa.
Thanks for recommending “Kedi”! On a rainy Sunday afternoon in Seattle, my sister & I went off to see it, and were enchanted! Seattle’s cherry blossoms are bursting now – a lovely sight . (Live in KY but am visiting here.)
L B
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So glad you enjoyed it!
I have only visited in summer and fall and wondered what it would be like now.
It’s always interesting, but right now it is not at the peak of its appeal.
I’ve never heard of Chionodoxa forbesii, Very pretty! I laughed at your reference to the Natural Perversity of Events.
Things just seem to work that way, don’t they?
All these little bulbs say that spring has arrived, hope you have more lovely weather to bring more bulbs to flower.
It will be cool and rainy for the next week or so, but no frosts and no snow.
Great to have this public space so close to your office.
Very true.
I loved looking at your beautiful, colorful photos and then glancing outside here. Quite a difference.
I’m sure you will catch up!
I visited Lurie for the first time last summer, even though I grew up in the burbs of the City. What a view! So jealous you are close enough to visit during lunch!
Lurie is a marvel to visit in spring and fall, as well.
Always a treat to see the Lurie in different seasons; thank you, Jason. I don’t think I have any Chionodoxa either, and I don’t know why, but I must remember these come fall-bulb ordering time this fall. My friend Beckie and I were at Navy Pier on Friday for the Chicago Flower Show. We stepped out outside to enjoy the weather a few times and couldn’t get over all the people on the Pier! We thought there must be some special event going on, but every time we asked someone, they just said it was the first beautiful, warm day in a long time. I think everyone in Chicago must have taken off work on Friday to enjoy it:)
That sounds very familiar! Not that I would admit playing hooky to enjoy nice weather!
Pretty spring blooms.
Fun to enjoy my friend, Lorayne, who is visiting Seattle and appreciated your film recommendation. We’re communicating via your blog, it seems!
Even though our calendars tell us Spring is Here, in Medford, Oregon we’re still in the rain and cold. We’re going crazy not being able to get out and dig in the dirt!
So glad she enjoyed the movie. I hope you get to see i also.
Heartening indeed, Jason.I’d love to see some of those in my garden at this time of year.
It’ll happen.
“The Natural Perversity of Events” would make a great chapter title.
Or a blog post? Watch this space.
Chionodoxa are so sweet and made prettier by that bright golden light. (I’ve heard it called sun but haven’t seen such a thing in quite a while.) There are a few Chionodoxa in my garden from a years-ago bulb order but your pictures make me want to add more.
There are rumors that this “sun” thing has been seen recently in this region but I am skeptical.
I love “natural perversity of events” So true.
Undeniable, I’d say.
Such a great blog! Thank you for your thoughtful words and photos. The magenta species tulip is Tulipa humilis ‘Violacea Black Base.’ The squill is sometimes called tubergen squill (Scilla mischtschenkoana). The flowers become lovely seed pods eventually which extends the beauty of this early spring charmer. The weather has cooled off drastically, so all of the flowering bulbs you photographed should last a little while longer!
Hi, Laura. Thanks for the IDs, I’ve updated the post. I’m thinking of planting some more Tulipa humilis this fall. Do you find that the species tulips are less attractive to rabbits and other varmints? Seems so to me, but maybe that’s wishful thinking.
By the way, my comments on your blog seem to be going into the spam folder.
Springs arrival is something to celebrate, for sure. Those Glory of the Snow are lovely – another one to add to the list this fall.
My feelings exactly.
Yes, it is a joy to see these first spring bloomers. The little Crocuses, Snowdrops, and Hellebores blooming out in the garden now have me smiling every time I walk by. I’m looking forward to visiting Lurie Gardens this summer!
Yes, I’m looking forward to that also! I think I can get some of the staff to meet with us.
These first bloomers are always a welcome sight! I will have to try some squill planted here. I need some spring flowers that can take over in some places.