On Chicago’s first warm, summery weekend of the year, when convertible owners could finally drive with the top down and spending an hour outside could result in unexpected sunburn, there was no better place to be than the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe.
Located about 30 miles north of the city, the 26 gardens showcase a beautiful variety of both local plants and species from around the world on a peaceful property spanning nearly 400 acres.
There is always an event to look forward to, whether it’s an evening of live music or a weekend cooking demonstration. All summer, the Garden Chef Series invites chefs from local restaurants and event venues to demonstrate a signature dish, often with samples provided at the end. One favorite is Laura Sable of One North Kitchen & Bar, who last year shared her recipe for panzanella, a salad with cubed bread.
My most recent visit fell on Pepper Sunday, which included hourly demonstrations on ways to use the many varieties of this versatile vegetable. In the session on pepper sauces, the audience learned some basic rules: for every cup of pepper, either fresh or dried, there should be two cups of liquid. They should be brought to a boil and allowed to simmer for 20 minutes, then blended, strained and cooked for 20 more minutes.
Garlic, cumin and Mexican oregano were recommended as seasonings, but the recipe could be adapted an infinite number of ways – for example, flour could be added for a thicker consistency, or tomato sauce to thin the sauce and add extra flavor.
The demonstrations took place next to the fruit and vegetable gardens, which will be full of produce, from apples and grapes to squash and herbs, later in the summer. Outside the miniature amphitheater, there were samples of popcorn with four different chili seasonings to sprinkle on top, ranging from mild to cayenne.
In another section of the gardens, a bonsai festival showcased delicately beautiful varieties of the miniature trees. While some bonsai are on permanent display, the festival featured a sale of both live and sculpted plants as well as pottery. A stunning exhibit by photographer Laurie Tennent called Botanicals: Intimate Portraits showed a variety of flowers in dizzying detail, down to the fuzz on their stems and leaves.
Of the other gardens, the greenhouse featured some of the most interesting plant varieties, ranging from tall cocoa and banana trees to cacti just a few inches tall. Earlier in the year, it was the site of the blooming of a titan arum, an extremely rare flower famous for its smell of decaying flesh.
In the Japanese Garden, a zigzag bridge leads visitors onto an island – it’s believed that evil spirits cannot cross a bridge of this shape – but other islands are inaccessible, meant for visitors to admire from a distance.
All the gardens were a flurry of activity. A bride and groom took photos while painters set up easels near a bright, colorful field of poppies. Visitors paused to admire a bunny chewing on grass outside the rose garden, which is bare in the spring but boasts an array of colors and scents later in the summer. Despite the number of guests, the only place that felt crowded was the Garden View Café during lunch.
The gardens have trails for running or biking but also plenty of quiet places to enjoy the views. It’s easy to spend an entire day exploring, and a visit can easily be combined with a stop at Ravinia, the country’s oldest outdoor music festival, located within walking distance. Ravinia is the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but it musical offerings this summer range from jazz and rock to a showing of Titanic with live accompaniment.
When you’re leaving the Botanic Gardens at the end of the day, passing by the majestic fountain near the main entrance, you’ll find yourself thinking of a reason to return again as soon as possible.
If you go:
1000 Lake Cook Rd
Glencoe, IL 60022
