THE HERITAGE PEONY PROJECT - The Beginning
PRESERVATION
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In partnership with the Northbrook Historical Society & the Northbrook Park District, the NGC is working to preserve heritage peonies transplanted by Edward "Bud" Smith from the original Northbrook Gardens. His grandfather, William F. Christman Sr., managed the Northbrook Gardens from 1928 to 1945 on the former Sky Harbor Airport site
HISTORY
After Northbrook Gardens closed due to the expansion of Sky Harbor, Mr. Christman went to work developing peonies with Brother Charles Rekamp at Techny's Mission Gardens. Brother Charles is well known for developing conifers, such as the Techny Arborvitae, and several varieties of daylillies.
NORTHBROOK GARDENS
This painting of the Northbrook Gardens was commissioned in memory of William F. Christman Jr., who was a member of the Northbrook High School Class of 1942. It is the only known color image of the Gardens in bloom. The hanger in the background is part of the former Sky Harbor Airport.
SOURCE: Northbrook Historical Society
Field Work Before & After
The preservation project began with field work - LOTS of field work - that began at the end of May 2019. The peonies were hidden in an overgrown field. Little did we know the colorful, extravagant blooms and varieties that awaited us.
Volunteers in the Field
These are just a few of the NGC members & volunteers that started with hand weeding, trimming, and lopping of small trees in order to locate, mark and identify more than 150 peony plants.
Paeonia & Spring
Double whites began blooming at the original Christman farm house. These plants sent up buds at the end of May and held their long lasting blooms well into late June. They survived spring rainstorms and high winds.
Donation of Glass Slides
Throughout his career, Mr. Christman took photos of peonies which were developed on glass slides. His grandson, Bud Smith, donated 400 glass slides to the Chicago Botanic Garden for restoration and preservation in their archives. Mr. & Mrs. Smith and several members of NGC gathered to view the delicate slides.
Cultivars captured on glass slides
Left: Asa Gray, Double Pink, Midseason
Right: Apple Blossom, Single Pink, Midseason
Cultivars captured on glass slides
Left: Baroness Schroeder, Double Whites, Midseason
Right: Auguste Dessert, Double Pink, Midseason
THE "BIG DIG"
In September 2019, the Northbrook Park District sent a crew to the Smith field to start the work of transplanting the peonies.
The crew hand dug the 150+ plants in the back field. The peonies will be transplanted in various parks throughout the Village, including the garden at the Historical Society.
A scoop was used on the front border of large peonies. Some of the peonies will be re-planted in the park near the site of the original Northbrook Gardens.
The crew taking out the last of the large double white peonies.
A full load of peonies headed to their new homes in the various parks in the Village.
It was a long, hot day but a very successful work day thanks to the partnership between Bud Smith and the Northbrook Garden Club, Historical Society and Park District.
Peony Photo Gallery - Photo Credits Pat J, kris m, Sue L, Barb G, Kay S, Diane F, & Sue M.
