FEATURE ARTICLE

BY TAMARA B. MARKS

Each summer, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Ill.-located about 21 miles north of Chicago-to take in the beauty of the English Walled Garden, the glory of the Rose Garden, and a variety of gardening ideas at the Fruit and Vegetable Island. Its 23 gardens are teeming with color and activity from April through October.

While most visit during the spring, summer and fall months, in the winter months the Garden offers some of its most beautiful views, unique opportunities to enjoy nature and, yes, life!

"Life at the Chicago Botanic Garden does not cease during the winter months, it is merely transformed," says Kris Jarantoski, director and vice president of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

"Winter at the Chicago Botanic Garden offers an entirely different experience than that found when visiting the Botanic Garden in the summer. The winter air is crisp and there is a unique, quiet beauty here that is breathtaking."

At the beginning of winter, the prairie grasses glisten from the frost and an early morning mist or fog hangs over the Garden's 75 acres of water.

As the foliage drops from the trees, the foundation of each garden comes to life.

"The winter provides wide-open vistas," says Tim Johnson, director of horticulture for the Garden.

"When they are snow covered, they are beautiful; it truly is an enchanted winter garden."

Johnson says winter provides an opportunity to appreciate the structures of each garden formed by different trees and shrubs. For example, when snow falls on the Dwarf Conifer Garden, the textures and colors of the stoic evergreen trees are exposed.

The new Circle Garden, located just west of the Garden's Education Building, features a very formal foundation of trees and shrubs which during the spring, summer, and fall months are highlighted by seasonally changing annuals. In the winter, however, the gardens formal pattern of Hicks Yews, as well as the center promenade featuring shaped boxwoods and crab apple trees, takes center stage and provides a beautiful canvas for snow.

Color can also be found in the Garden, from the colorful bark on trees to the remaining fruit on crab apple trees and the berries on holly. These provide color against the winter landscape and food for birds.

One of the most beautiful areas during the winter is the 17-acre Japanese Garden called "Sansho-En" or "Garden of Three Islands." Sansho-En was designed to be enjoyed each season and is especially beautiful during the winter.

"The Japanese islands are spectacular after a fresh snowfall," says Tim Johnson.

"The snow accentuates the forms of the trained trees and the lanterns, and there are many evergreens that really stand out with the snow."

The Japanese regard snow scenery as one of the loveliest floral displays of the year, and thus the islands are adorned with numerous objects to celebrate the winter atmosphere.

November/December 1997 / 13

FEATURE ARTICLE

A Yukimi lantern, or a "snow-viewing" lantern, is placed dose to the water because it is most beautiful when snow is piled high on its wide top and its light reflects on the water. The large umbrella-shaped cap or roof forms a broad surface to receive the snow.

The winter also invites "shadow walks" at the Japanese Gardens. It's a breathtaking experience when the sun reflects off the snow held by the hands of the pine trees, the buildings or the lanterns.

Winter months also offer a rare opportunity to readily see and enjoy wildlife-from geese and the Garden's two pairs of swans, to Great Horned Owls, raccoons and songbirds. Waterfowl, which are often difficult to see in the summer and spring, are concentrated in the few remaining areas of water without ice.

While the air outside is cold, inside the Gardens Education Building and various greenhouses it's warm and tropical plants are thriving.

There is always something to do at the Chicago Botanic Garden. So come out and visit any season of the year! 

TAMARA B. MARKS
is assistant, marketing and public relations for the Chicago Botanic Garden, a 385-acre living museum owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society.

14 / Illinois Parks and Recreation