Urbs In Horto ... Chicago Botanic Garden

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One of nature’s patterns aching to be noticed, by man and insect alike.

One of man’s patterns aching to be photographed in black and white, if you ask me.

Black-Eyed Susans, some wandering.

The Chicago Botanic Garden’s main fountain, complete with mist-bow.

Beauty abounds in the Landscape Garden

A taste of the Aquatic Gardens

Two of the many swans of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Some more intriguing patterns of the grounds.

The more stunning inhabitants of the tropical greenhouse, including several sublime orchids, are featured here.

Here we have a plant native to Illinois, Passionflower. Seen here in the English Walled Garden, it’s certainly one of the most bizarre flowering herbaceous vines that call our state home. The story and name of the plant date back to 16th century Spanish Christian missionaries who thought its floral parts resembled aspects of the crucifixion story. The ten petal-like parts the apostles, excluding Peter and Judas; the fringe the crown of thorns; the five stamens the wounds Jesus received; and the knobbed stigmas the nails (or the holy trinity).

One of the seven waterfalls of Chicago Botanic garden, paused . . .

. . . and in motion.

Some Spotted Touch-me-not, so named due to its swollen fruit capsule that when mature will explode and expel seeds from being touched.

The rock garden-like shore of the Japanese Garden Island.

 
One of several giant Willows of the garden.

 
 
The magnificent to behold Baha’i Temple on the return trip from the gardens.