The Changing Face of Public Parks

(continued from page 40) showy garden spaces with increased demand for plants that support pollinators and wildlife. The core is maintained with a mix of long-blooming perennials, annuals, flowering shrubs, and ornamental trees. The Park District has partnered with The Conservation Foundation on some projects away from the core to stabilize shorelines with native plants and mitigate flow rates of the river by creating riffles and pools.

The Riverwalk landscapes also evolve from highly manicured at the core to looser and more naturalistic as you move (continued on page 44)

Introducing Little Hottie

A grower favorite, this new panicle hydrangea introduction is a compact, well-branched shrub with brilliant white blooms. After multiple years of testing, Little Hottie® has proven its genetically compact size, both in production and the landscape, as well as amazing heat tolerance where it doesn’t burn in