The team of Wirtz International – noted Belgian Landscape Architects – and Trowbridge Wolf Michaels Landscape Architects were awarded the commission to design the newest garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Design on the garden began almost 6 years ago and construction began last year after a successful fundraising effort.

The Mitsuzo and Kyoko Shida Evaluation Garden is scheduled to open to the public in fall 2021. The garden design features dynamic curvilinear paths, strongly sculptural plantings, and elegant landscape structures that harmonize to create intimate, peaceful spaces for reflection. It will also support the Chicago Botanic Garden’s plant evaluation program and will be used to evaluate shade plants, roses and vines. The project also includes over one-half mile of shoreline restoration to stabilize the lake shore and enhance wildlife habitat. TWMLA’s Bryan Denig traveled to Chicago in August to inspect the construction.