Part 2: Visitng the Chicago Botanic Garden in Late October

Continuing on with our tour of the Chicago Botanic Garden we find ourselves still in the Landscape Gardens. This area shows a raised bed with a nice mix of conifers, grasses and groundcovers. This garden also shows plants that are drought tolerant and do well in this type of 'scree' garden. I adore the rock edging in this area.

Right next to the Landscape Gardens is the Model Railroad Garden. This area was quite a large area had a nice collection of plants as well as miniature buildings representing well known landmarks throughout the United States. There is an extra fee of $5 to visit this particular garden.

Like the Huntsville Botanical Garden the Chicago Botanic Garden also had a bonsai collection. I took a few photos but am posting only the base of one of the bonsai specimens. I think if you use your imagination you can imagine this scene could be a full sized scene in any forest, but instead it is in a pot in a courtyard at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

A picture by one of the lakes. Weeping willows seem to do quite well along the shorelines we visited here at these gardens.

'October Skies' was in full bloom. This aster is one of my favorites for designs I do for my clients.

The gardens did not have a lot of formal water features but did have a few informal ones. This one is in the area called the Waterfall Garden. It was near the Japanese Garden (we'll see that one Friday) right across from a lake. The sound of the multiple waterfalls was very natural and soothing. The cascading plants and abundance of plant material made me think I was in the mountains. It was a lovely area.

Lastly we'll finish with another picture that reminds us it is indeed fall in the United States. Fall comes much earlier to the Chicago area than to Tennessee but it is no less beautiful....

in the garden...

So glad the election is over! I worked in a local polling station in my state yesterday and can tell you that was quite an experience! All of the voters were most joyful and happy to vote which really helped make the very busy day go by faster...

in the garden.... 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Georgia Fall Colors 2012

BY SKEETER

Finally, some Fall Colors near my Georgia Gardens!

We strolled the Augusta Canal where the Savannah River is in sight. As you can see, we continue to be in drought conditions. Rocks which are normally below the water, are easily seen below the dam.

As normal for us, we see more orange and bronze type colors of the leaves. After 12 years of living here, I recall only 2 years of red colors. Sigh... 

I long for the bright reds but rarely do we become lucky enough to see them in our neck of the woods. Of course we see reds planted in landscaped areas but not where nature tends its own.

Not much more then a few touches of yellow by the Water Fall which leads into the Canal.

Spanish Moss dangles within the colors.

I would enjoy this view more if the two tree trunks were not in view. But to be expected as tall Georgia Pines are a big part of GEORGIA FALL COLORS, In the Garden...

 

To see more Fall Colors from different states, Visit Dave over at the Home Garden by clicking HERE.

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden