Inspirations from Chicago's Botanic Garden

Fountain found in the English garden

View from the English garden

A shady retreat

A shaded balcony

Lake view near the English garden A formal garden "room"

Lily pads in the Aquatic gardens

Chicago's Botanic Garden's

A few weeks ago I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden for the first time. It is a 385 acre (1.56 km²) botanical garden in Glencoe, Illinois, operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It is comprised of 23 themed gardens, including an Aquatic Garden, an English Walled Garden with 6 garden "rooms" in various styles (Vista Garden, Cottage Garden, Pergola Garden, Daisy Garden, Courtyard Garden and Checkerboard Garden), a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and a Sensory Garden to name a few. You could spend all day there and just barely see everything. After parking, we were greeted with a family of swans caring for their young right beside the parking lot. They seemed so tame, as we were able to walk right up to them (they didn't even scare when my six year old ran up to one of the babies, ignoring my distinct instructions not to.) They are beautiful animals, so graceful. From that point on I knew this was going to be worth the travel time (7 long hours). The gardens gave plenty of opportunity to find inspiration for my art, and just plain enjoy the scenery.