Although home to many of the Midwest’s most exclusive shops and businesses, the 33 blocks of Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile” appeared surprisingly unwelcoming and indifferent to the city’s population and to throngs of international visitors. The avenue’s spectacular, world-famous architecture creates intimidating “cliff walls” on either side of the street.

The landscape architect’s task was to create a street-level landscape that would gracefully bestow upon all Michigan Avenue visitors a bold, visual invitation to linger and explore. An unexpected windfall of city funds became available in 1993 for the project.

The landscape architect accepted the challenge to work with a Mayor Daley-appointed committee of avenue merchants and business people to create the project’s vision. Central to that vision was maximizing green space. Large, simple, and economical concrete planters were chosen so that the lion’s share of funds could be used toward the purchase of the piece de resistance: the plantings themselves.

To attract attention from passing motorists and be interesting enough to cast a spell on pedestrians, bold horticultural designs were needed. Eight years in the planning, hundreds of plant combinations were tested for tolerance against Chicago’s severe weather conditions. The theme of the plantings varies from season to season, drawing inspiration from window displays in Michigan Avenue’s world-renowned shops.

Whether native grasses or rare exotics, annuals or perennials, what remains constant is the exuberance of the seasonal displays that impart lushness, warmth and life to the avenue. Sparking a trend of greater horticultural interest throughout the city, “flower couture” was an unexpected outcome. By example, this overwhelmingly successful streetscape has encouraged the green industry to expand its standard repertoire. Transforming an imposing metropolitan area into accessible, head-turning green space, this project successfully links the two.