Macy's Chicago Flower Show: The Painted Garden

 

One of the colorful displays at Macy's Flower Show in Chicago.

I haven't been to Macy's spring flower show in Chicago for a few years now. The last time I went, there were only a few displays on the first floor, much to my disappointment. Given this year's late spring, though, I decided to check out the current show, The Painted Garden, which debuted today. I was happy to see the show is back to its former glory up on the 9th floor.

Orchids and bromeliads are everywhere as are tulips, azaleas, palms and lots of tropical plants. So if you're looking for some inspiration for your perennial or native plants garden, this isn't the place for you. That said, it provided a much needed shot of color on a cold, windy and gray Sunday afternoon.

Visitors are met by a large elephant decked out in brightly colored blooms. A path to either side then meanders around a white square central fountain. Scenes include a home's front door, a marketplace and several plazas. Flowers are in bold colors -- yellow, orange, pink and purple -- and the backdrops, all with Indian architectural elements, are painted in deep hues.

The show continues through Sunday, April 7 at Macy's State Street location during regular store hours. A complete plant list is in the show's brochure. Admission is free.



A photo of the Taj Mahal provides a nice backdrop for this spiral and peacock.

This potted palm is just one of many in the show.

I want this one in my back yard.

A marketplace scene includes baskets of colorful flowers.

The central fountain is surrounded with flowers and foliage.

This elephant at the entrance is a popular spot for photos.

By Karen Geisler

The Garfield Park Conservatory

View from the entrance of the Garfield Park Conservatory

 

Every winter, there comes a time when I need a major infusion of green. Call it "cabin fever," "garden withdrawal" or whatever you like. It's a need that can only be cured by a glass ceiling, high humidity and lots of tropical plants.

 

I had a particularly bad case this past weekend, prompting a visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.

 

This complex, built 105 years ago, is truly a treasure. How can you not like a place that includes Spider Bouquet (Clerodendrum quadriloculore), Never-Never Plant (Ctenanthe lubbersiana), Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia australis), Song of India (Dracaena reflexa variegata) and Trailing Watermelon Begonia (Pellionia repens)?

 

The Palm Room at the Garfield Park Conservatory

The Palm Room, which greets visitors off the main entrance, is impressive to say the least. In addition to the various palms, there are several orchids currently in bloom including potted Cymbidiums, Nun's Hood orchid (Phaius tankevilliae) and ground orchids (Spathoglottis plicata cultivar).

 

Nun's Hood orchid

 

The conservatory's famed Fern Room also is open again after being devastated by a hail storm on June 30, 2011. Some parts haven't been replanted yet and won't be until the damage is permanently repaired this coming summer. It still is a tranquil retreat.

 

One of two waterfalls in the Fern Room

The central pond in the Fern Room

Fishtail ferns on the mossy rocks of the Fern Room

Another view of the Fern Room

There's a lot more to see, but I ran out of time. I'm sure I'll be back before spring finally comes to the Chicago area. While amaryllis, paperwhites and various plant and seed catalogs help, they only work for so long.

 

Where do you go when you need a green "fix" this time of year?

 

By Karen Geisler

 

 

White Bird of Paradise in the Palm Room




Palmetto Palm

Jungle Flame

Mexican Horncone

Ground orchid



Crocodile fern

Spider Bouquet

A Gardener's Fantasy Island

Heliconia pendula

I must have dozed off in the hammock Sunday after spending one too many hours weeding in the 90-degree heat.

When I woke up, I was in an island paradise surrounded by tropical plants. There were no weeds in sight. All the beds were immaculately edged and mulched. The smell of gardenias and jasmine perfumed the air.

It was heavenly! I immediately had to take a closer look.

“This is better than Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island,” I thought as I got up and went for a short stroll, “although they do serve afternoon tea at Butchart.”

Suddenly, a very short man in a white suit was there, offering me a tall glass of ice cold lemonade. He left before I could thank him, saying something about a plane.

Then, over to my left, I saw a bright red and yellow flower that looked like a lobster claw. As I walked toward it, I suddenly knew what it was.

Heliconia pendula, better known as lobster-claw. Named after Mount Helicon, the seat of the Muses in Greek mythology. Spreads by rhizomes. “Flowers” are actually bracts. Likes at least 6 hours of sun although the pendulous version prefers shadier areas. Needs to be watered at least twice a day.

Wow, I thought. The only tropical plants I've ever owned have been the hibiscus on our deck. Where did that come from? Hmmmmm….

Over to my right was a palm with ruffled, fan-like leaves. As I walked over, the same thing happened.



Licuala grandis

Licuala grandis. Also known as the Ruffled Fan fern. Native to the Vanuata Islands off the coast of Australia. Doesn’t like direct sun. Slow grower. Prefers high humidity. Good as a houseplant. Produces red berries, each with a single seed.

This was starting to become a bit disconcerting.

Maybe I just needed to stretch my legs a bit more in order to wake up. I had walked about a quarter mile when I saw a wonderful purple flower with white edges straight ahead.




Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers'

Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers.' A member of the verbena family. Also known as Picotee Skyflower, Pigeonberry or Golden Dewdrop. The later name is because the flowers are succeeded by chains of orange-yellow fruit. Fruit is poisonous, so do not put where it is accessible to children. Likes average soil and full to part sun.

I’ve always wanted to know everything about every plant I see, but this was starting to become a bit much.

Jamie Durie

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a man with brown hair carrying an Australian tree fern (Cyathea cooperi or so my brain instantly told me). Was that Jamie Durie, the hunky Australian garden designer from HGTV? Maybe he could tell me what was going on here.

Unfortunately, he vanished before I could reach him. It was as though he had disappeared into a room of some sort.

I shrugged it off and resumed my walk. Flowers and ferns were everywhere on this island. And somehow I instantly knew exactly what they were, simply by looking at them.

There was the thyallis (galphimia glauca), Firecracker fern (Russelia equisetiformis), Kimberly Queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) and even Macho fern (N. biserrata). In no time, my poor brain was overloaded.

 

Russelia equisetiformis

Finally, in a shady glen just ahead, I spotted a hammock slung between two coconut trees. Maybe I could just close my eyes and take a short break, I thought as I climbed in.

When I woke up a short time later, I was in my own back yard, weeds and all. My mind was at peace, though. And my husband was standing there with some sort of potted palm in one hand and a virgin Pina Colada for me in the other.

Maybe my own little garden wasn't so bad after all. Especially if I added a touch of the tropics this summer.

HGTV's Jamie Durie will be appearing at Chalet Nursery this Thursday, June 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $24.95 and includes a copy of his latest book, The Outdoor Room. For more information, call (847) 256-0561.

Agave schidigera 'Durango Delight'

 

Aloe hybrid 'Christmas Carol'

Heliconia species or False Bird of Paradise

Acalypha wilkesiana or Copper Leaf

The foliage of Melianthus major 'Antonow's Blue'

By Karen Geisler