More of Enrique and Christian’s Garden

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Today we’re back in the Forest Park, Illinois, garden of Enrique Zuniga and Christian Altman, a space they transformed from a blank piece of turfgrass into a beautiful garden that attracts pollinators and is enjoyed by them, their three dogs, and their friends alike. We saw some of the garden yesterday and are back to enjoy more of it today.

dense planting of pollinator plantsThis is a very urban area, not far from downtown Chicago, but Enrique and Christian have transformed their piece of this space into something that is beautiful and inviting to pollinators and other wildlife.

close up of pink coneflowersA bee has stopped by these coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–8) for a meal.

close up of an ornamental grass with other plants behindOrnamental grasses can be beautiful for the way you can look through them like a veil to the rest of the plants behind.

space on side of house filled with plants and flowersThe narrow space between two houses is often just a forgotten strip of grass—but not here! Flowers and grasses fill the area with beauty and habitat for native insects.

close up of swamp milkweedSwamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata, Zones 3–6) is a beautiful native perennial with fragrant pink flowers in midsummer. Like all milkweeds, it is a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Adult monarchs, like this one, visit as well for a hit of nectar.

garden border along a fence with a skinny conifer and various perennialsA narrow pine (Pinus sp.) provides a dramatic contrast to lower-growing perennials.

outdoor couch and chairs on a garden patioAn essential part of any garden is a spot to sit and enjoy it all.

close up of a red Mexican sunflowerMexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia, annual) is a large, fast-growing annual with flowers in glowing orange or red. This bee loves it just as much as people do.

close up of yellow and purple flowers in the gardenOne last view of this beautiful garden is a reminder of what you can create even in a small, urban garden space.

 

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

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