Beyond the Willow

There are a hundred ways to discover the beauty of the Chicago Botanic Gardens and there is path for every purpose. The area around the Rose garden is familiar and safe.  You can’t get lost and the restaurant is just back across the bridge.  For the adventurous, you can strike out towards the vegetable gardens and wander around with envy knowing your garden at home will never look this.

It can be discouraging and so you turn back towards the English Garden.  Here you will find inspiration and renewed confidence.  Yes, my backyard looks something like this.  Well, not quite.

Me, I head for Evening Island where I know I will always find something to paint.  A little jumbled and rough..very natural with grasses and Salvia and towering Joe Pye Weed.  I follow the path knowing there is something special to see just around the bend.  Boy, this is nice and I stop.