S14 Episode 02: Floral Artwork in the Parks

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Listen to what goes into planning the beautiful floral displays at the Naperville Riverwalk and the wildflower gardens in Park District's natural areas, and why staff enjoys designing these ever-changing works of art in the parks.

This episode is part of Series 14: Creative Pursuits

For a list of ParkTalk episodes and series visit https://www.napervilleparks.org/PODCASTS.

Quotes from the episode:

"The flowers are my favorite part of my job. I love deciding what goes where and what goes with what. It's very much like painting a work of art. The only difference is that plants are always changing, so you need to think about the plant itself and how it's going to be in the future." - Tiffani Picco, Park Specialist II, Riverwalk

Dandelion Fountain at the Riverwalk, spring 2019

"We planted this year a different kind of cover crop (for the new perennial beds at the Garden Plots). We got some really pretty colors and different flowers while we were waiting for the perennials to root. It turned out really well. The bachelor buttons kind of took over...so it was a sea of blue. - Beth Myers, Park Specialist II, Central Parks

Ron Ory Community Garden Plots, field of Bachelor Buttons and other flowers, spring 2019

Favorite places to view flower gardens at the Naperville Park District:

Naperville Riverwalk. Tulips and daffodils bloom in early to mid-spring, followed by colorful annual flowers in pots and in planting beds, and beautiful perennials like hydrangeas and lavender that attracts pollinators.

Spring planters at the Riverwalk featuring stock, pansies and linaria

Hydrangeas along the Riverwalk in the fall

Ron Ory Community Garden Plots. Walk through the paths to view annuals and perennials and take a self-guided tour through the Idea Gardens to see varieties of native plants and get inspiration for your garden at home.

Perennials at the Garden Plots