On Tour Today - Just Opening

As you stroll through the garden today, your head will undoubtedly turn toward the stands of deep red Hemerocallis 'Chicago Apache' (Daylily) in the Light Plate or to the many species of Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower) in shades of pink, orange and greenish white. You might want to photograph the 4-foot tall, lavender blue Perovskia 'Little Spire' (Russian Sage) mixed with bold, silvery Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master). But if you take a closer look, you will find plants that are just beginning to open for their August showing.

In the Dark Plate, near the middle of the south path, Scutellaria incana (Hoary Skullcap) is just beginning to show its lavender blue flowers on loosely branched 3-inch spikes. Another member of the mint family, this native makes soft mounds 3 feet high that will continue blooming into September. Small white hairs on its square stems give it the "hoary" description to its name. When dry, its seed head looks like a tiny helmet or skullcap. Directly behind this grouping is a subtle plant, Salvia glutinosa (Sticky Sage). Its similar mound shape and pale yellow flowers make it a good companion for the skullcap.

At the top of the north stairs and overlooking the Seam, Helelnium autumnale 'Rubinzwerg' (Sneezeweed) is opening its daisy-like flowers that are the color of roasted tomatoes with darker centers. This North American native is a member of the aster family and can grow to four feet. Its common name was given because its stamen parts were used as an ingredient in snuff, not because it was an allergen. Currently, two ornamental grasses are neighbors to the sneezeweed - Sporobolis heterolepis 'Tara' (Prairie Dropseed) and Molinia litoralis 'Transparent' (Moor Grass).

A dozen garden signs will be out identifying Agastache 'Blue Fortune' (Giant Hyssop), Liatris spicata (Blazing Star) and Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant) among others. Free tours are offered from 10 am to 1:30 pm and last about 20 minutes.

New in the Garden - Leadplant

Purple spikes of Amorpha canescens make their first appearance in the garden this month. This native perennial is slow to develop, so that in past years its foliage was the only evidence that the plant was in residence. The leaves and stems are often covered with tiny white hairs, making the leadplant seem to be covered in lead dust. Evidently its common name was given at a time when most of us were familiar with lead dust.

A true prairie plant, the leadplant habitat extends through the entire Central U.S. to the Canadian Provinces. Its central root can often extend 15 feet, facilitating recovery from fire. Leaves are bipinnate, 4 to 12 inches long with up to 50 half-inch leaflets compacted along the stem. Flowers ranging from dark to light violet cluster along 6-inch spikes at the ends of major branches.

A good viewing spot for this plant is from the northeastern bench of the Light Plate where the garden turns a corner north to the Shoulder Hedge. You will find it growing between a mix of ornamental oregano and sea lavender on its right and 'Purple Rain' meadow sage on its left.

Finding Blooms on the Garden Tours

Today as you stroll through the garden, look for a vibrant medley of blue and violet perennials located in the Transition Area of the Dark Plate, overlooking the Seam. Here is a good example of the way in which Piet Oudolf used plant shapes to add interest to the garden.

Three kinds of globe-shaped flowers are interplanted for a natural look : bright blue Echinops bannaticus 'Blue Glow' (Globe Thistle); red violet Monarda didyma 'Scorpian, (Bee Balm); and the smaller, burgandy-clored Knautia macedonica (Knautia). In contrast, vertical spires of flower clusters define the space and draw the eye upward: lavender Veronica longifolia 'Evelyne' (Speedwell) at under 2 feet and the taller Veronicastrum virginiatum 'Temptation' (Culver's Root) that can grow to nearly five feet.

In bloom at the corner of the path, just south of this spot, is Astilbe chinensis 'Maggie Daley' (Astilbe), named for the first lady of Chicago. This violet lavender Astilbe is more compact than other varieties in the garden, standing about two feet tall with spires of branched pannicles that are densely covered with flowers. Its foliage is a deep green that is tinged with bronze. Maggie Daley will bloom late into summer, contrasting with the lavender spires of the Giant Hyssop across the path. This planting was an experiment last year - the garden staff tried to find another plant that could tolerate this sunny location.

Down the path and to the east of Maggie Daley is a 7-foot tall plant with huge, lettuce-green leaves - Inula magnifica 'Sonnenstrahl' (Fleabane). This perennial is magnificent if only for its foliage. Atop its sturdy stems are bright yellow daisy-like flowers with drooping petals, giving the appearance that each is wearing a grass skirt. Look beyond this planting to see similar yellow flowers of Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant).

Garden Tours are from 10 am to 1:30 pm and last about 20 minutes. In addition to the plants mentioned above, look for Allium 'Summer Beauty,' Echinacea 'Orange Madowbrite,' and Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo.'

What's Blooming? Color!

While the violet-blues of the Salvia River continue to dominate, other plants are bringing more colors from the spectrum as the garden eases into its summer cloak. Reds, oranges and yellows can be found, making an effective contrast to the blues and purples of the meadow sage.

In the Light Plate, Echinacea 'Orange Meadowbrite' (Coneflower) can be found between the Salvia River and the Seam, growing through the delicate blades of an ornamental grass, Molinia caerulea 'Dauerstrahl' (Moor Grass). Look for Monarch butterflies lighting on the dark cones as they continue their migration through Illinois.

Above the Seam in the transition area of the Dark Plate, Knautia macedonica (Knautia) is opening before its companion plant, a daylily, Hemerocallis 'Gentle Shepherd' that will follow next month. If you are familiar with the lavender perennial pincushion flower (Scabiosa), you will see some similarities as they are both from the same family, Dipsacaceae. However, the flower of the knautia is claret red and only an inch across. As you traverse the stairs, notice that the red of the knautia echoes the color of the burnette on the opposite side.

The tallest plant in the Meadow is in bloom with bright yellow daisy-like flowers. Silphium laciniatum is commonly called Compass Plant because it can align its leaves north and south to reduce exposure to the hot sun and conserve moisture. This North American native can grow to 10 feet, towering above the Rattlesnake Masters and Green Edge Coneflowers that are interplanted throughout the Meadow. Beginning in late summer, the seeds of its cones will feed birds through the fall and into winter. Look for goldfinches perched along its stem, looking for food.

Summer Solstice

Sunrise 5:16 am on the longest day of the year, but the sun will not reach the garden until well after six. When the light reaches the meadow, the leaves of Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant) are backlit, emphasizing its deeply-cut leaves that look like large hands reaching toward the sky. In the foreground, a pink cloud of Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke) catches the light as it filters through the trees that form a canopy over the Dark Plate (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Chicago Blues').

On today's garden tours, some of the highlighted plants include Monarda bradburyana (Eastern Bee Balm). This pale pink bee balm was planted last fall in the Light Plate. It makes a nice companion to the deep violet Allium purpurea (Ornamental Onion) that is interplanted with it. Look for both of these plants coming through a ground cover of a young ornamental grass, Sporobolis heterolepis 'Tara' (Prairie Dropseed).

In the Light Plate, growing near the Monarda and Ornamental onions, Stachys officinalis 'Hummelo' (Betony or Hedgenettle) is beginning to open. This plant was developed by plantsman Piet Oudolf at Hummelo, his garden and nursery in the Netherlands. Oudolf uses this plant in the Lurie Garden because of its deep violet orchid-like flowers that are compactly borne on flower spikes. It attracts all types of insects while in bloom and when dry, its silhouette gives interest to the winter garden.

Small garden signs will direct you to other plants in bloom that include: Echinacea purpurea 'Rubinglow' a deep pink coneflower that is just beginning to show; Phlomis tuberosa 'Amazone' (Phlomis) a tall plant with pink flowers clustered around the stem; Sanguisorba menziesii (Burnett) with red knot-like flowers and toothed leaves, growning near the stairs at the Seam.

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.

What's Blooming?

It is a perfect day for strolling the garden with a Master Gardener docent. Skies should remain overcast, creating good, reflective light for photographing plants.

In addition to the Salvia River in the Light Plate, you will find a variety of plants from the blue-violet palette. Tradescantia 'Concord Grape' (Spiderwort) is blooming in the center near the Seam. You can get a closer viewing in the northwest corner of the garden near the Shoulder Hedge.


Stands of Baptisia 'Purple Smoke' (Hybrid Wild Indigo) are scattered throughout the Light Plate. This is a bold plant with spikes of deep blue pea-like flowers.

For contrast, three varieties of Amsonia, more delicate with star shaped flowers, are planted in close proximity.

Amsonia hubrichtii (Arkansas Blue Star) has needle-like leaves and clusters of tiny, pale blue flowers.


A. tabernaemontana var. salicifolia (Willowleaf Blue Star) has, as its name implies, leaves shaped like those of a willow with clusters of flowers in a medium blue.


Amsonia 'Blue Ice' is making its debut this year. Only 12 to 18 inches high, it fills in as a ground cover with its willow-like leaves and slate blue flowers. All three plants are native to the southeastern U.S.

The majority of plants blooming in the Dark Plate are white - giving the eye a rest from the abundant purples in the Light Plate. Look for brilliant stands of Paeonia lactiflora 'Jan van Leeuwen' (Herbaceous Peonies) on both sides of the Cloud Plaza. Each flower is nearly 4 inches in diameter with hot-white petals in one or two rows with a large, central mass of golden staminodes.
Overhead, Robinia pseudoacacia 'Chicago Blues' (Black Locust) is still in bloom, its dense pendant clusters of white flowers gently perfuming the air. Nearby, Baptisia leucantha (Wild White Indigo) is beginning to open its creamy white flowers.

Garden tours begin at the white tent located at the south end of the Seam. Tours last about 20 minutes are are given every 15 minutes from 10 am to 1:30 pm.

The Salvia River

The Salvia River is at its peak, flooding the Light Plate with shades of violet. This area of the garden is so named because it cuts a boomerang-shaped swathe through the Light Plate from the Shoulder Hedge to the Meadow.

Plantsman Piet Oudolf chose four varieties of Salvia for this area: Salvia x sylvestris 'Rugen' (medium blue-violet), S. x sylvestris 'Wesuwe' (deep violet), S. x sylvestris 'May Night' ( dark blue-violet) and S. x sylvestris 'Blue Hill' (true blue).

The Salvias are planted in wide bands, crosswise to the channel. When you stand on the north path of the Light Plate and look south over the Salvia, the bands of color seem to ripple and undulate toward you - like a river.



The common name for these Salvias is Meadow Sage. The stems are square, indicating they are from the mint family. A closer look at the leaves show a similarity to the Mediterranean herb used in cooking, S. officinalis.

Bulb Day in the Garden

Today is Bulb Day in the Garden. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and give brief tours, pointing out the more than 120,000 bulbs that are planted in the Lurie Garden. Look for a white tent at the south end of the Seam. Tours are offered between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm.


In the Meadow, look for:
Narcissus 'Lemon Drops' (Daffodil). They are mixed with two Camassias - C. cusickii and C. leichtlinii 'Blue Danube' - and a brilliant pink native perennial, Dodecatheon 'Aphrodite' (Shooting Star).



In the Light and Dark Plates, you will see a mix of pink and violet tulips - Tulipa 'Ballade,' medium violet-pink petals, edged in white - T. 'Don Quichotte' - a hot pink - and the regal T. 'Queen of the Night' - deep violet-black.

White tulips planted through both plates contrast with the darker tulips and beg for your attention - T. 'Purissima,' T. 'Maureen,' and T. Spring Green.'

Although the Salvia River is a month away from its full bloom, a carpet of Muscari armeniacum 'Superstar' is a rich substitute, giving a hint of the purple river that will flow in late May.