April Dollars Bring May Flowers
As the daffodils trumpet that spring is here, we are growing excited for days spent at Cranbrook Gardens - our favorite place for rejuvenating after a long winter.
Our goal this spring is to raise $10,000 to help cover the cost of planting the Sunken Garden annuals, sprinkling new plants throughout the gardens, and other general operations at Cranbrook House & Gardens.
We are calling on your support again to help make this goal possible. While architect Albert Kahn designed the stone walls and staircase of the Sunken Garden, it’s volunteer gardeners and generous donors like you who make the garden the botanical wonder it is now.
Greenhouse Co-Chair Paul Nelson has been the architect of the annuals in the Sunken Garden for the last 15 years. Finding inspiration from Cranbrook and the world around him, Paul is attracted to geometric shapes and likes to use symmetry, repeating patterns, and vibrant colors in his designs.
For each design, Paul sketches out the layout on graph paper, taking care to ensure it will look stunning from the day the flowers are planted through the time they reach their peak. A team of volunteers then work together to plant the garden, using string as a guide to precisely transfer the plan to the garden.
The theme for the 2025 Sunken Garden is gemstones. Five varieties and a total of 1,758 SunPatiens are needed to make this living work of art bloom.
Will you help bring the Sunken Garden to life in May by making a gift today?
Whether you give $25 to cover the cost of a six pack of SunPatiens or $2,500 to plant a full row of flowers in the Sunken Garden, your contribution is greatly appreciated and will add to the beauty of Cranbrook House & Gardens.
When you visit the gardens, you can take pride knowing your donation helped make them blossom. Thank you for your continued support.
Happy Spring!
Joyce Harding, Chair
Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary
Randy Forester, Fund Development Chair
Cranbrook House & Gardens Auxiliary
P.S. Your donation to Cranbrook House & Gardens is fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. Please give by April 30 to help us plant the Sunken Garden this May. Thank you for supporting this place of art, nature, and happiness!
More Ways to Make an Impact
Give by Check
Please make your check payable to Cranbrook Educational Community, add a note in the memo indicating your gift is for the House & Gardens, and mail to the address below.
Cranbrook Advancement Office
P.O. Box 778761
Chicago, IL 60677-8761
IRAs, Donor-Advised Funds, and Stocks
A little planning now can pay off next tax season. Consider a gift of stock or an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution to support Cranbrook while setting yourself up for potential tax benefits when you file next year.
Planned Giving: Create a Legacy at Cranbrook
A gift to Cranbrook House & Gardens as part of a thoughtful, comprehensive estate plan is a wonderful way to create your legacy at Cranbrook and help support Cranbrook House & Gardens for years to come.