Central Street Neighbors Association Est. 2007

Tiarella cordifolia, or Foamflower (sometimes "Allegheny foamflower"), is a groundcover perennial native to upper North America (endangered in Wisconsin) that has been cultivated and hybridized. A popular variation, shown here, is the "Brandywine" which features darker, even burgundy veining amidst bright green grapevine-shaped leaves with an interesting texture. This native was able to thrive in a dark, shady area I'd had trouble getting anything to grow, and looks great along a path or pond edge.

American bittersweet, Celastrus Scandens, is a native woody-stemmed perennial vine with short, softly ovalled, slightly toothed, often shiny leaves that taper to a point. Often confused with Bittersweet Nightshade Solanum dulcamara, or with Oriental Bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculata, an invasive, Asian variety which has rounder leaves and is starting to crowd out the native variety in many American forests.
 

Mertensia virginica, commonly known as Virgnia bluebells, is a native woodland perennial found in most Illinois counties, including Cook County, and is featured in the Botanic Gardens Native Plant Garden. It pops up through the silla in mid-spring, and forms spreading bouquet-like plants of up to 2-1/2' tall with delicate lavender-blue flowers that bloom for up to a month.

This was a worker's cottage that stood at 1722 Central St., just west of the former Evanston Theater building, until 2007 when it was demolished to make way for the now-delayed "Eastwood" mixed-use condominium development. It had both state and local landmark status. Note the ornate gingerbread decoration on the porch and the unusual arches above the windows.