I spent a few days in Chicago last week - I really like this city. There are plants everywhere. It was interesting to learn how one person’s determination (mind you it was, and is, the mayor!) to beautify a city can make such a difference. Since Mayor Daley came in to office, hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted, miles and miles of boulevard planters have been built and planted, window boxes and troughs hanging from railings and parking garages have been filled with plantings. Trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and grasses fill the containers. It is beautiful!

I took the opportunity participate in a tour visiting a few “green roofs”. That, too, was inspiring. We were not able to visit Chicago City Hall, which has a huge one, as it was one of the city’s furlough days. We did get to see the very first Wal-Mart store with a green roof. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s green roof had native plants on it mimicking the plantings surrounding the facility. I was quite surprised to learn that the 24-acre Millennium Park is actually a green roof built entirely over underground parking garages. This is an incredible outdoor space in the middle of the city. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by Frank Gehry offers free concerts throughout the summer. The Lurie Garden provides a quiet spot to contemplate. Everybody - child and adult - wants to touch the Cloud Gate sculpture. My favorite is the Crown Fountain - I love watching the children interact with this water feature. You must visit.