After a wonderful tour of the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Spring Fling Garden Bloggers all went to Millenium Park where we were treated to a tour of the Lurie Garden by the Chief Horticulturalist, Colleen Lockovitch.

There was a river of purple — made up of four different types of Salvia. All the attendees will have shots of this river of plants — they were amazing in their own right, but I loved the contrast with the bold Chicago skyline.
Colleen showed us all “her” plants, talked about the past, the design and the creation of the garden, as well as its upkeep and evolution going forward.
And then she said it.
What every gardener says when having guests.
“Oh – don’t look at that corner!”
I didn’t take a picture of it, though I was tempted. Even a professional garden horticulturalist suffers from “gardener’s excuse.” I could totally relate. And it made me feel better about MY humble garden. Gardeners are kindred spirits the world over, whether their gardens be large or small. It was an entertaining and a comforting moment for me. And frankly, I saw the Lurie garden in a whole new, human light.
See the skyscrapers peeking through this tree?
Everyone really listened to what Colleen had to say and kept pretty quiet during her whole tour — unusual for us — we’re a pretty rowdy group!
And the garden had this wonderful display with information readily available to the public.
More alliums. Just not blooming yet. See … I’m drawn to them like flies to honey.
That’s if for Day #1. More to come …