Greening Up

I've covered the Reflections garden and the Rooftop Garden of the Future at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. This exhibit is called Greening Up and it is a four-season garden set around a replica of a typical Chicago garage. The display was divided into four quadrants and each quadrant showcased a different garden style. The garage in the center of all these gardens has a living roof.



This I guess is the winter garden and while nice I'd rather not think about winter right now. I'm in the mood to put it behind me. This garden does a great job of illustrating the need for plants that provide interest in the garden during the winter.



Another view of this garden shows the living roof better. There is a rain barrel that collects runoff water. A living wall leans against the wall of the garage. To the left is a potting area and in the foreground there is a water feature that isn't show in this photo.

Another side of the same garage the colors and plantings are more subdued. In the center there is a cold frame and to the left there was another chair.

Between the two gardens shown above sat this one which was my favorite of all four quadrants, it should have been a display by itself. There's a potting shelf to the right of that the yellow pole leads up to a bat house and next to that there is a compost bin.

On the opposite side of the same garden there is is awesome garden path created from circular pieces of wood. To the left of the path there was a fire pit dug into the ground. The black cannas and the light flowers from the foxgloves really work together.

The seating area of the same garden just off of the potting area shown above. You can click on the photos for a slightly larger view. If I could have this garden transplanted to my house I would do it in a heartbeat. It has everything I like, annuals, perennials, tropicals, cacti & succulents, edibles and makes a small space look really large and every square foot of the garden is well used. Greening Up was designed by the professionals of the Lincoln Park & Garfield Park conservatories.

Related post from the Chicago Flower & Garden Show:
Reflections: An Asian Inspired garden
Rooftop Garden of the Future
Garden Marketplace