CHICAGO FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW 2012

It was a sunny, Spring and yes I said Spring, kind of day.   The temperature was to reach  somewhere in the 80's.  A group of gals that had shared our garden trip to

England back in the fall, would meet and be inspired with our very

own Chicago Flower and Garden Show, followed by lunch at Riva's.

There was something for every taste and style from a

garden point of view.  This was one of the first displays and I

really loved the rustic inspiration it gave to me.  There was a

company who would make shutters, doors and columns that

appeared to be worn and quite vintage.  They were all new and just

made to look like they were worn and used.  Brilliant!!! (and extremely

well done.)

Pathways intertwined and went every which way bringing your

eyes to still another idea.

Old iron gates (or were they?) intertwined in this exhibit making you

feel really in the moment  and as if you might be abroad.

More of this 'old' look but contrasted so beautifully with the

chosen landscaping.

Then in a distance I spotted this pergola which I really took

a liking to.  We had a pergola installed at the end of the season

last year and this year I wish to have indoor/outdoor fabric applied

at each end.  In the center of our pergola is our hot tub.  This one had

an outdoor fireplace and really had created another living space for the

spring and summer months.

Loved the room-like feel of this pergola and the seating that was

created beneath the pergola.  Perfect for my hot tub area at home.

There were lots of walls created with boulders and very

colorful plantings put into the ground en masse which of course

makes for the best statement of color and texture.

This pergola was more jungle-like.  In fact, that is exactly how

I felt when I got under it.  It was cool, but just a little too rustic

for me.  All of the pergola structure had been made from logs and

the trunks of trees.

Beyond the log type pergola was a great outdoor fireplace.  Now,

this I could do!!!

Outside of the pergola was a great planted area with Boxwood

and Azaela

At a distance I spotted a structure that made me feel like I could

have been in Ireland.  Could it have been a potting shed?

Grass roof and all and the most magical entrance .  .  .

I almost felt I might find a leprecaun down these steps! (and most

certainly I had been transported to somewhere on the outskirts

of Dublin!)

As we moved onward I was attracted to this gazebo and the

contemporary statuettes of children playing leap frog.  As we

edit the spring and summer areas of our backyards, this is certainly

a true addition in every sense of the word.   It was surrounded by a

wonderful collection of hosta plants.  I am a big fan of hostas and

have added about two or three differenct species every year to my

shade garden.

Though not sure, I believe this was a Black Trumpet, which

is another shade loving plant,which had been interspersed

with the Hostas.

The Riva Restaurant had decided to open the outdoor area only two

days before.  It was hot and oh so wonderfully unbelievable to sit out-

side and enjoy a lunch of crabcakes with an Asian salad on the side.  Mid-

March in Chicago should have been cold and damp and here we were

eating outside after the Garden Show.   Amazing!

Behind us, our wonderful Lake Michigan which always freezes

in the Winter. . . . . not this year!

We all left inspired as to what we would do differently in our

gardens and certainly wondering when we would meet again!