Elizabeth and I are here in the Windy City (believe it!), garden-drooling and partying with the Gardenblogger Spring Flingers. And exhausted already, speaking for this flinger.
Anyhoo, I was totally wowed by the Chicago Botanic Garden - who wouldn't be? - especially its fruit and vegetable garden, and wondering why ALL botanic gardens don't have displays like this. These towers of violas and parsley rising over a bed of kale give you just a taste of the artistry employed here, and even the fruit trees and bramble vines are grown beautifully. All pretty enough to pass muster with even the crankiest of neighbors.
The Montreal Botanic Garden has always had neat vegetable/ flower garden combos.
Posted by: Katie | May 30, 2009 at 08:29 AM
how are those violas planted? are they climbing or are those big planters? i can't tell from the pic.
Posted by: jaz | May 30, 2009 at 09:31 AM
ooooh,I want to try that.
Posted by: luise h. | May 30, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Oh, jeez, that's gorgeous. (drool)
Connie
Posted by: Connie | May 30, 2009 at 08:49 PM
To answer Jaz's question, they plants appear to be stuffed into coir or the moss used for hanging baskets that is inside a tall form. I took a close look because I want to try to duplicate that next year in my garden.
Posted by: Mr. McGregor's Daughter | May 31, 2009 at 06:38 AM
That looks really cool. It looked like Clematis to me at first glance. If you have a good frame you should be able to do it your garden pretty easily. Have a few spare 'plug-in' plants on hand.
Posted by: Digital Flower | May 31, 2009 at 01:35 PM
I love the Chicago Botanic Gardens Vegetable and Fruit Garden. They used to do a Great Chef Series (and still may) on the weekends. The Chefs cooked using the veggies from the garden. There were never enough samples to go around.
Posted by: Foy | June 01, 2009 at 06:58 AM
That was the best-designed part of the vegetable garden at CBG, I thought. It was beautiful and playful at the same time.
It was so fun to hang out with you and Elizabeth at Spring Fling II. The spontaneous blogging discussions on Saturday evening in the hotel business lounge were especially fun for me because I missed participating in them in Austin. Till next year!
Posted by: Pam/Digging | June 01, 2009 at 04:18 PM