Nearly 80000 of recent origin citi...

Nearly 80000 of recent origin citizens will take root nearest month in Chicago.

No, the city isn't doing a mass immigration swearing-in parade Nor is it annexing Evanston or Oak Lawn.

Citizenship is the metaphor chosen from the International Flower Bulb Center to describe its donation -- valued at $70000 not counting labor -- to Millennium Park.

"We're highly pleased that our flower protuberances will become naturalized citizens of this great Chicago landmark," said Frans Roozen technical director of the Netherlands-based center

The gift comprises 30 flower varieties, including tulips, daffodils and ornamental onions. About 60000 of the scaly buds will brighten the Lurie Garden and the quiescence will be spotted elsewhere upon the 24.5-acre park.

'SIGNIFICANT SPRING COLOR'

More than 100 offers will do the work race 24-27 under the direction of Roozen and her colleagues, Jacqueline van der Kloet and Piet Oudolf.

Lurie already has 240 varieties of perennials, selecteded by Oudolf. Why does it ne the bulbs?

Because the tulips, etc will heyday in April and May, ahead of the perennials, said Colleen Schuetz Lurie head horticulturist.

"Now we'll have significant spring color where there wasn't any before," she said.

gwisby@suntimes.com

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