The 2013 Chicago Flower & Garden Show

"Larger Than Life," a sculpture by Chicago artist Jeffrey Breslow

The minute you step into the 2013 Chicago Flower and Garden Show, the theme of this year's show is obvious: "The Art of Gardening."

You're greeted by two large pieces of art, a sculpture of tree branches, stones and rotating colored lights by Jeffrey Breslow and a large wall of hand-painted window art by Emmy Star Brown. Many of this year's display gardens also incorporate various art elements into their designs.

Of course, there's still lots of tulips, hyacinths and other spring blooming flowers everywhere. At times, the perfume could almost make you forget the major snow storms we've had in recent weeks.




Canvas of Tulips, Garden #17



Banja Luka tulips

A close up of Cool Crystal tulips

Among the various artistic elements at this year's show are a brass sculpture of a boy with an American flag, a piano and trumpets made into water features and Shona stone sculptures from Zimbabwe, Africa.



Shona stone sculpture at Living Art in the Garden, Garden #18




A piano water feature at A Water Sonata, Garden #9

Trumpets create a waterfall at Garden #9

A colorful urn at Backyard Utopia, Garden #10

A bronze sculpture amid daffodils at Garden #10

There's also a garden, An Inspirational Art Walk, that's dedicated to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. It features framed photographs from the series "Mr. Wild's Garden" by David Weinberg set in a landscape designed by members of the Illinois chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The not-for-profit foundation provides support and assistance to the families of Chicago police officers who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.



An Inspirational Art Walk, Garden #5

In addition, there are two examples of edible landscaping, one by the Peterson Garden Project and another by Growing Power Inc. The latter garden, done with in a spiral pattern, is especially colorful with early spring crops, herbs and vegetables. Both groups help people grow their own food.




The Peterson Garden Project: Victory Today!, Garden #19



Art on the Farm, Garden #15

And, of course, the show again featured some tablescapes under the theme "An Art-Full Table."



Roses are everywhere on this tablescape by Mariano's

The show has activities for the kids as well as educational seminars and demonstrations for adults. It also has brought back its potting parties, allowing people to create a a container they can take home. And if you're more of a cook than a gardener, there are culinary demonstrations every day by various chefs.

 

The 2013 Chicago Flower and Garden Show continues through March 17 at Navy Pier.

 

Hand-painted window art by Emmy Star Brown at the show's entrance

By Karen Geisler

Hort Couture: Chicago Flower & Garden Show

A flower mannequin at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show

The Chicago Flower and Garden Show, being held at Navy Pier now through March 18, is celebrating flowers and fashion with this year's theme, "Hort Couture."

In addition to the many show gardens, there were several fashion-forward displays as a result.

The Chicago Park District's display

Of course, there are lots and lots of spring bulbs. The perfume of the tulips and hyacinths permeates whole sections of Navy Pier.

A fringed tulip

A double tulip

Mango tulips

Tulips and hyacinths, a very fragrant combination

There are also many great tablescapes.....

Plus there are two very special gardens -- one built to resemble the "Let's Move" kitchen garden outside the White House....

And another honoring the long-running NBC daytime drama, "The Days of Our Lives." It includes original props from the show plus the wedding gowns from four of the show's weddings.

One of the most breathtaking features is right at the entrance, a giant agapanthus sculpture by Britain's Jenny Pickford, a blacksmith and glassblower.

Back by a giant green wall, the 14' tall sculpture of forged steel and glass towers over visitors. It is 11 feet wide and weighs 1,100 pounds.

Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission prices vary from $15 to $19 for adults, depending on whether tickets are bought online or at the box office and whether they are for a weekday or weekend. Children ages 4 to 12 are $5 apiece.

 

By Karen Geisler