Another Purple Polo, Nate Huse, headed up east to the Windy City. Not to catch a Cubs game or to indulge in some deep dish pizza, but rather to take some time to learn from the pros at Chicago Botanic Garden. Here’s what Nate had to say at the end of his trip as well as some incredible snapshots from the grounds.
Q: Where’d you go?
Q: When’d you go?
A: September 2, 2014
Q: Who’d you go with?
Q: Why’d you go?
A: To be inspired. To learn. To find new and exciting plants. To evaluate and enjoy other’s work besides my own.
Q: Plane, train or automobile?
A: We flew in the same day we went to the gardens and left the next morning; opened the gardens up and shut them down!
Q: Travel tunes?
A: No tunes. One of the most exciting parts of the trip was that I got to read on the flight without any distraction… SO RARE! Bill Bryson’s, A Walk in the Woods, I hated that the plane trip came to an end… great book!
Q: Trave snacks?
A: Such a quick trip never got any out. We both didn’t even check any bags; just carried everything we brought with us all day.
Q: What’d you learn?
A: Some very exciting new plants, new plant combos, flowers and blooms that carry the summer all the way into September. Summer doesn’t have to end when kids go to school! Reading the details and how well they work when the design intent is kept intact. The structure… like walls (made from plants, stone, and brick) paths, canopy, and elegant pruning carry the garden all four seasons – not the flowers! How important mystery is in the gardens….”what’s around the corner?, What’s through that opening?, what’s down that alley?” All these mysterious garden spots bring people into the garden and get them off the patio or outside all together. I am not sure if you can put into words and express all the lessons that you get out of going to renowned garden spaces.
Q: Best part?
A: Because it was my first time to the gardens, there was a lot to cover in a short time. The best part would have to be that moment walking across the large bridge after going through the Welcome Center and anticipating what lies ahead!
The Chicago Botanic Garden is a must see if you visit Chicago. Going elsewhere? Check out Sproutabl’s guide to 55 Stunning Botanical Gardens you really need to see before you die.
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