For the past several years, a group of Midwestern garden bloggers and communicators has met at various locations to tour gardens, arboretums, and plant displays. We skipped last year because of COVID, and this growing season was challenging for some weather and personal reasons. But several of us met last week in Kenosha, Wis.: myself, Danniel Ward-Packard, of Botanica Fine Gardens and Landscapes, and Jason Kay and Judy Hertz, of Garden in a City. It was a small group and a cloudy, windy, cool day, but we had a great time and some fabulous discussions about plants.
The first stop was a hikeable portion of the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area, which is part of a 4,500-acre lake plain in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. It was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Significance in 2015.
It's a captivating place, with a diversity of wet prairie species, even though this has been a particularly hot and dry growing season. The natural swaths of asters, sunflowers, goldenrods, grasses, and other plants were fascinating to view.
Across the road on this windy day, the turbulent waves of Lake Michigan were dramatically lapping the shore.
It's a captivating place, with a diversity of wet prairie species, even though this has been a particularly hot and dry growing season. The natural swaths of asters, sunflowers, goldenrods, grasses, and other plants were fascinating to view.
Across the road on this windy day, the turbulent waves of Lake Michigan were dramatically lapping the shore.
So many autumn native plants to observe and so little time. I believe I have the names correct on these beauties, but let me know if not.
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| Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) |
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| Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) |
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| New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) |
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| Sky Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense) |
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| Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) |
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| Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) |
For lunch, we met at Kenosha's waterfront Eichelman and Wolfenbuttel Parks, which have some colorful annual displays.
The trellises and pergolas frame the park's Lake Michigan view and the nearby boat marina.
They were lovely formal plantings surrounding the area.
They were lovely formal plantings surrounding the area.
Our final destination for the day was the Hawthorne Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum. I think this property surprised all of us with its 12 charming acres of prairies, gardens, and historic buildings.
A small prairie restoration was in process.
This beautiful unmarked rose reminded me of my great-grandfather's rose that he crossed for my great-grandmother.
A vibrant, blooming Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) shrub couldn't be ignored.
This border along the side of one of the historical buildings was autumn-impressive, and had me wondering about its plant display during other seasons.
On the way out, more asters and sunflowers took the spotlight.
It was a cloudy, windy day, but the companions and the gardens--both natural and intentionally planted--were top-tier.
I'm looking forward to next year's gardener gatherings!
