Welcome Plaza
Horticulturist: Lindsey Muscavitch

What’s behind the design:
I was inspired by suminagashi or "floating ink," the process of marbling plain paper or a textile with water and ink to transform it into something vibrant and colorful with patterns and waves. It reflects the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and the transient nature of life. I chose a circular version of this style for my annual design.

Plants used:
Some selections will have names that mention water, like “wave,” “splash,” and “showers.” Plants like the Cordyline ‘Singapore Twist’ and Tradescantia zebrina in the containers feature repetition in their growth habit, or on their foliage. In the beds, plant heights will vary to create a wavy effect while being planted in the loose, concentric circular style. Larger plants are meant to look like a splash, like mangave, or a large spout/fountain, like the palms.

If you were to decorate a room in your home in this pattern…which room would you choose and why?
I wouldn’t use it for a room, but it’s great for stationery!

Bio:
Lindsey Muscavitch is the assistant horticulturist for the Welcome Plaza, Ramble, and Stone Family Picnic Glade. She has been in this position since the new spaces opened in 2023. Lindsey came to the Chicago Botanic Garden with diverse horticultural experiences including, most recently, purchasing annual and tropical plants for retail. She also worked in ecological restoration, on large-scale annual installation projects in downtown Chicago, as well as in other public gardens. She likes the challenge of having 50-plus annual containers to design in the Welcome Plaza each season. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time in nature with friends. She goes on backpacking trips and various wild adventures a couple of times a year.