By Patrick F. Cannon

Two weeks ago, I was giving a tour at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio in Oak Park, Illinois. As I assembled the group (from France, Spain, and Chicago this time), I noticed an emerging carpet of tiny blue flowers at the edge of the grass that hadn’t been there the week before.  In an area of ground cover in front of the house there were tiny yellow blooms struggling to emerge from the tangle. I think both are varieties of crocus, but I’m no horticulturist

They are, however, harbingers of Spring. As are the increasing number of squirrels one sees, as well as an odd bunny or two. When did you see your first Robin? I saw my first one a couple of weeks ago. He was pecking away in the grass in front of my building. It had rained, and there were worms and bugs lurking there. They are incredibly quiet and you must get close to them before they fly away. I’m no birder, but I won’t be surprised to see a Cardinal one of these days; and if I’m lucky, a Goldfinch or two.

My balcony overlooks an alley, but a nicer alley than most. The buildings and houses I can see are all well-kept; many have trees and gardens in their back yards. A few days ago, I noticed just a touch of green in tree canopies, the first buds beginning to open. This effect was even more noticeable when I drove next to a forest preserve on the way to visit a friend the other day. I also saw a small herd of white-tailed deer through the trees. Is there anything lovelier than these gentle neighbors?   Before long, when I look out the window, the trees will suddenly be in full leaf.

The local Jewel food store has begun to sell annual flower flats. I don’t have a garden, but I do have a balcony. Because of the chancy Chicago-area climate, I’ll wait until May before I buy pots of pre-arranged flowers at my favorite nursery. I’ll need to change them out one more time before Fall. But as I walk and drive though my own Forest Park and neighboring Oak Park and River Forest, I get to enjoy the flower gardens and perfectly trimmed lawns of my neighbors without having had to do the work myself!

I’m not a  fan of anti-lawn movement that replaces the tended front yard with a mini prairie. I would like to see more open land returned to the prairie landscape that once existed in parts of Illinois, much like we have set aside land for forest preserves. But you can’t bring back the prairie with a patch of land 30 or 40 feet by 20.

If you truly hate grass, there are many options to replace it —  ground cover, neatly mulched annual and perennial flowers, and plants, even a Japanese garden, with its small trees and shrubs and patterned sand. And please consign the vegetable garden to the back. The untended messes I’ve seen, particularly in Oak Park, are studies in chaos –and you can  get better vegetables at the Farmer’s Market!     

P.S. Happy Easter!   

Copyright 2026, Patrick F. Cannon