Nature Areas
Nichols Park Wildflower Garden
Directions: Nichols Park Wildflower Garden is located in Nichols Park at 1300 E. 55th Street, on the west side of the park at 54th Street, between Kimbark and Kenwood Avenues. Look for a small blue and yellow entrance sign to the garden.
(click here for map)
Description:
In a corner of Nichols Park is a serene wildflower garden. Planted in June of 2000, the Nichols Park Wildflower Garden has many species of native prairie, savanna, and woodland plants. The sunny portion of the garden contains low-profile prairie plants that are three feet tall or less, and includes a colorful array of prairie wildflowers and grasses. Native prairie grasses that can be found at Nichols include little bluestem (Andropogon scoparious), side oats gramma (Bouteloua curtipendula), and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). The shady side of the garden contains lush plantings of woodland sedges, ferns, and woodland spring ephemerals such as Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata), and Trillium species. These wildflowers and grasses in Nichols Park provide food and cover for many species of birds, small mammals, butterflies, and other insects.
Among the earliest spring bloomers are Pasque Flower (Anemone patens), American Columbine (Aquilegia canadenius) and Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum). Summer wildflowers include Smooth Aster (Aster laevis) and Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata). New England Aster (Aster novae-angilae) and Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) supply colorful blossoms through the fall season.
The meadow has benefited from the hard work of the Nichol’s Park Meadowlarks, a Hyde Park gardening club. The group pulls weeds, waters, collects and scatters seed, plants prairie grasses and flowers, and carefully monitors the vegetation.
Chicago Park District
Department of Natural Resources
February 2002