A free Garden Walk

Take a walk through this garden.



Reading on Walden Bookstore.

Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk is another big success

This year's Garden Walk, held on Sunday, June 22nd, was another aesthetic and financial success. This year's walk featured ten beautiful gardens spread throughout this great community. These gardeners opened their gardens in such a warm and gracious manner.

We’d like to thank Beverly Bank and Trust, County Fair Foods, Friends of Kevin Joyce, Munro Landscaping, Founders Bank, Alderman Ginger Rugai, Reading on Walden Bookstore, World Music Company, PRS Realty, The Plaza, Professor Becker and His Guitar: Storyteller, and Cliffco Concrete Construction for their continuing support of this great event. We strongly encourage you to support each and every one of these community-oriented businesses.

The Garden Walk benefits community gardens and helps to support free community events. We are always looking for volunteers to join the Garden Walk Committee. Please call me, John Presta, at 773-233-7633 or at readingonwalden@att.net. Reading on Walden Bookstore.

The Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk is this coming Sunday, June 22nd and it is Chicago's best

by Sharon Ostrowski
The East Beverly Association welcomes summer with the 21st Annual Beverly Hills/ Morgan Park Garden Walk on Sun., June 22. The walk features nine neighborhood gardens, with something to appeal to every gardener’s (and wishful gardener’s) tastes.

The Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk has been named one of the top ten garden walks by Chicago Magazine, and this year the variety of gardens will provide a particularly delightful experience for visitors. Set in our historic community, among architecturally-significant homes and tree-lined streets, the gardens truly exemplify Chicago’s motto of “Urbs in Horto” – City in a Garden.

Visitors on this year’s Garden Walk will experience a diversity of styles, ranging from quiet contemplative spaces to robust yards bursting at the seams with blooms. An added attraction will be the presence of Audrey Fisher, a volunteer with the Chicago Conservation Corps, who will promote the use of rain barrels in conserving water and helping the environment.

Garden Walk Preview

Nestled in North Beverly, an English garden complete with statuary will delight visitors. Winding footpaths lead through lush foliage, creating a private sanctuary with lovely views from all angles.

Another North Beverly treat is a corner lot with sculpted beds, extending the garden to the street. Several varieties of hostas flourish, and small shrubs are a highlight among the perfectly landscaped beds of perennials and annuals that flow around the house.

An eclectic garden will greet visitors in Central Beverly with a diverse mix of perennials, annuals and vegetables surrounding a wooden gazebo. Birdbaths and other attractions abound in this whimsical garden.

Central Beverly also offers an extensive native garden, with over 500 native perennials, trees and shrubs. Six-foot tall flowers will certainly fascinate garden walk guests. This prairie garden is truly a bird and butterfly haven.

A West Beverly garden features hand-carved trellises and arbors that create a captivating retreat. Non-traditional presentation of plantings is sure to spark creativity in all who visit. Participants on the garden walk will enjoy several additional gardens, featuring unique and enchanting landscapes.

Rain Barrels

Several Beverly/Morgan Park residents are doing their part to prevent storm water from flowing into an over-taxed sewer system by collecting rain water in barrels, then using the water for lawns and gardens and to wash cars, bikes and outdoor furniture. Chicago residents who are interested in collecting and using rain water can order recycled rain barrels in advance and pick them up at the Garden Walk. The barrels are available through the Chicago Department of the Environment, one barrel per household per year as supply lasts. The cost is $40. To place orders or obtain more information contact Audrey Fischer, 773-233-7579 or audreyfischer@sbcglobal.net.

Persons who order barrels are invited to decorate them at, Beverly Bank & Trust, 1908 W. 103rd St., the Garden Walk starting point, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Google-eyes, grass skirts and other decorative items will be provided, or bring your own along with a smile! Showcase a barrel at your home, then take a photo and send it in, decorated or not, to Audrey Fischer.

According to the Chicago Department of Environment, Chicago residents use 2.4 billion gallons of water a day. All of that water comes from Lake Michigan, a finite resource.

Garden Walk Schedule

Gardens will be open noon to 5 p.m. Guided trolley tours of all the gardens depart from Beverly Bank & Trust, 1908 W. 103rd St., at 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., on a first come, first served basis. Participants can choose to self-guide in their own vehicles or on bikes.

Ticket Outlets

Tickets for the 21^st Annual Beverly Hills/Morgan Park Garden Walk are $12, $10 for seniors, and are available at World Music Company, 1808 W. 103rd St.; Heritage Gallery, 1915 W. 103rd St.; Beverly Bank, 1908 W. 103rd St.; and My Sisters Knits, 9907 S. Walden Pkwy. For further information, call 773-233-7633, email johnpresta@att.net. Or visit http://www.gemmasgarden.com.

All proceeds from the Garden Walk benefit Beverly/Morgan Park community gardens and help support free community events.

The East Beverly Association thanks Beverly Bank & Trust, Garden Walk host sponsor, and other generous sponsors, State Rep. Kevin Joyce, PRS Realty, Founders Bank, The Plaza, County Fair Foods, Reading on Walden Bookstore, Clifco Concrete, Professor Becker and his Guitar, Munro Landscape, Calabria Imports and 19th Ward Ald. Ginger Rugai.

Thistle Weeds Anyone

This from my sister-in-law, Christine

Would you see if anyone on your blog knows how to get rid of those weeds that are like thistle weeds - they has like needles all over them and you have to have gloves to pull them. Also, is there a way to kill them without killing the flower that are growing by them?

thanks Love always, Chris

Herbs are in and they are good for you too

We just purchased some herbs from Munro Landscaping and planted them in containers. I never thought I'd say this, but we are excited about our herbs. But we want to learn more. Check out this article on herbs in the Las Vegas Review recently.

Most herbs grow best in full sun, with relief from the afternoon shade. They need good drainage. That means herbs are suited to the same conditions you grow flowers or vegetables.

Add them with your scrambled eggs or create a gourmet meal with these herbs. If you are following a favorite recipe, spice it up or add fragrance to the dish. And herbs can generate creative gifts for your family and friends.

Just what are herbs? Botanically, they are seed-producing annuals, biennials and perennials that do not develop persistent woody tissue and may die at the end of the season. If you are still not sure, it is a plant valued for qualities such as medicinal properties, flavor, scent or the like.

Tell us about your experience with herbs. Or check out this video about herbs.

Here is a list of the more popular herbs. Basil, sweet basil, bay laurel, chives, coriander, Chinese parsley, mints, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme and fennel. Reading on Walden Bookstore.

Britain's Chelsea Flower Show: A huge event in England

This is big in England: Britain's Chelsea Flower Show.

By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - A topless model poses in the foliage, environmentalists plead for the water vole, yoga enthusiasts balance on tip-toe amid the plants.

Media day at Britain's Chelsea Flower Show can be a truly surreal experience when former Beatle Ringo Starr rubs shoulders with Britain's national sailing team and "Weakest Link" TV presenter Anne Robinson launches a garden for Alzheimer sufferers.

The world's most famous flower show is bedecked for the day in some very unlikely finery -- TV soap stars, interior designers and even donkeys, chickens and a Shetland pony are on display. No gimmick is too outrageous.

Reading on Walden Bookstore.

Save the date for the Morgan Park/Beverly Hills Garden Walk on Sunday June 22nd commencing at Beverly Bank

Save the date, June 22nd for the Morgan Park/Beverly Hills Garden Walk, Chicago Premier Garden Walk.

Chicago, Illinois – The East Beverly Association announces the 21st Annual Beverly Hills-Morgan Park Garden Walk, to be held on Sunday, June 22, 2008 from Noon to 5 p.m. This year’s walk will begin at Beverly Bank, 1908 W. 103rd Street. Live music will be featured at the departure site.

Reading on Walden Bookstore.