Monday, June 14, 2010

What's Blooming?



While the Salvia River continues its violet surge through the Light Plate, other parts of the garden are transforming from their late spring colors to summer in hues of pink, red and orange. This morning at 10 am Lurie Garden docents will give short 20-minute tours of the garden, pointing out new blooming plants.

In the Dark Plate, look for the chocolate-colored leaves of Penstemon digitalis 'Husker's Red' (Beard Tongue). Though it's flowers are a pale white, it is the foliage that is striking, offering a bold contrast to the greens nearby. As the seed pods develop, they add an interesting maroon silhouette to the garden.



Along the upper path of the Dark Plate, you will find quits a large showing of Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' (Cranesbill) with its bright fuscia blooms. It makes an excellent ground cover in front of the tall ornamental grasses.

If you wish to take a self-guided tour, pick up one of the yellow booklets on the Lurie Garden at the tent on the south end of the Seam. As you walk the paths, look for garden signs that give both botanic and common names.

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