A Nearby, Noteworthy Garden Gem

The Shakespeare Garden in the 1930s.

Are you aware of a hidden garden gem located on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, or of its historical significance?

This garden, a project of The Garden Club of Evanston, was established in 1915 to celebrate the ties between England and America. It also commemorated the 300^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

The Shakespeare Garden was designed by Jens Jensen, the renowned Danish-American landscape architect and conservationist who had an office in Ravinia. It is one of only two formal gardens that he designed. All of the trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and herbs in it were plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. The 70- by 100-foot space contains flowers, shrubs, trees and herbs well-suited to our Midwestern climate, such as old roses, hollies, daffodils, nasturtiums and rosemary. 

The garden is maintained to this day by The Garden Club of Evanston.

The garden features plants mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.

Use this link to find out more about this urban oasis.

www.northwestern.edu/observer/issues/2004-10-07/garden.html

Crazy Plant Names

Do you ever wonder how new plants get their names?  Judging from these names, their plant breeders must have been hungry!

 Meals are available in the sun and shade. Imagine a sunny corner of your garden with a lovely coneflower display using ‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’ with ‘Tomato Soup’. Add in ‘Coconut Lime’ and ‘Raspberry Tart’ for dessert, washed down with ‘Merlot’ and you have yourself a feast!

 Under the canopy of a majestic shade tree you might find these sweet treats: Hosta ‘Guacamole’, ‘Plum Pudding’ Coralbells, ‘Marmalade’ Coralbells, and Spilt Milk Hosta.

Match the pictures with the names:

 a) Mac n Cheese Coneflower

b) ‘Plum Pudding’ Coralbells

c) ‘Tomato Soup’ Coneflower

d) Hosta ‘Guacamole’

e) ‘Coconut Lime’ Coneflower

f) ‘Marmalade’ Coralbells

g) ‘Raspberry Tart’ Coneflower

h) ‘Merlot’ Coneflower

i) Spilt Milk Hosta