Evernia Prunastri

 

An overgrown garden in Logan Square will be infused with the fragrance of oakmoss (evernia prunastri), a lichen that grows naturally on oak trees and is rarely found in the landscape of the American Midwest.  A highly sought after component in perfume, oakmoss lends many fragrances, such as chpyres, their notably green scent. As its own scented accord, however, oakmoss has been described as dusty, smoky, persistent, animalic, and strange. 

 

While Oaks are native to Illinois, much of their ecosystem is and has been under threat. Therefore, as part of evernia prunastri, a native oak tree will be planted, while the scent of oakmoss permeates the garden. This tiny garden, somewhat inspired by the gardens designed by Piet Oudolf at Chicago’s Lurie Garden in Millennium Park and the Highline in New York, is densely planted with native prairie plants as well as boxwoods, privet, mugo pine, lily of the valley, cyprus, star magnolia, Japanese iris and ferns, milkweed, barberry, cranesbill geranium, and climbing hydrangea. 

 

 

 

Meg Santisi is an artist/writer/person based in Chicago, IL.  She holds her MA in Visual and Critical Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2016), and her BA in Art History from Columbia College Chicago (2013). She likes to read/write/make about politics, design, and the constantly shifting field that is art. Meg is an unrepentant fan of the book "Debt: the First 5,000 Years" by David Graeber, and any artist residency anywhere. Meg works in development and communications for several non-profits in the Chicago area, such as ACRE RESIDENCY and MINT CREEK FARM, and is also a frequent contributor to BAD AT SPORTS. For more, visit: www.megsantisi.me and support current projects at www.summerforum.org.