The stories behind these beloved gardens were as beautiful and inspiring as the photos of the gardens themselves. Thank you to everyone who participated, congratulations to our winners and good luck next year to all entrants.
A special thanks to this year’s judges:
• Master Gardener Bill Aldrich, publisher of Chicagoland Gardening (www.chicagolandgardening.com);
• Master Gardener and Spring Grove Fire Chief Richard Tobiasz; and
• Master Gardener Brenda Dahlfors, McHenry County Master Gardener Coordinator,
University of Illinois Extension (http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry/mg).
Perennial Garden:
First Place: Julie Salerno – Julie Salerno of Crystal Lake was born to garden. “My father grew up on a farm in Indiana so gardening is in my blood,” she said. In the center of the yard is the “Pink and Blue” garden with purple pansies and impatiens around the edge, and pink and blue roses. “In the center, I planted sky blue asters that bloom in the early fall,” she said. “In the spring are purple and pink tulips all around. I take walks in it every night and enjoy the birds taking baths in the birdbaths, playing in the trees, also the hummingbirds when they come.”
Second Place: Roberta Bakalar – When Roberta Bakalar and her husband moved into their Crystal Lake house five and a half years ago, “here was nothing here but big overgrown evergreens,” she said. That didn’t last long. “We have irises and peonies and variegated grass in the garden in the back of the house, plus a lovely pond [my husband built] and waterfall with fish and frogs in the pond. We have a variety of hostas – my favorite – and maiden grass, peonies, bee balm, irises, lilies and cornflowers.”
Third Place: Sue Williams – Sue Williams’ garden – which almost completely surrounds the perimeter of her McHenry backyard – has become a refuge for wildlife – and humans, too, she said. “Nothing is more wonderful then sitting on the porch or laying in the hammock and letting all trouble’s fade away for the moments spent there,” she said. Her mostly perennial garden features more than 100 varieties. The backdrop of the garden bed consists of arborvitaes layering down to purple Irises, shasta daisies, dwarf burning bush and Francine hostas.
Fourth Place: Karen and Jason Trannel – Karen and Jason Trannel have created a garden at their Crystal Lake home that includes a mix of perennials, such as purple cornflower, daisies, black-eyed Susans, clematis and a variety of hostas and ground cover. The Trannels said they planted this garden “so we could enjoy the beauty of the colors with our baby girls from our front porch swing and rocking chairs.”
Annual Flower Beds/Special Annual Plantings:
First Place: Kathy and Katie Horn – Mother-daughter team Kathy an Katie Horn began their Cary garden in 1990. The centerpiece circle garden features four flagstone paths meet in the center at a handmade sculpture created by Dan Horn. “Each year, we try a new combination of annuals to add to this special circle garden,” the Horns said. “[The garden] is a voice for and a reflection of who we are.”
Second Place: Carol Louise – Family Alliance Inc.’s courtyard and garden, located on its property in Woodstock, is an annual garden with a mission. “In 2007, the [garden] was opened as part of a new horticultural therapy program for our low-income physically and mentally frail seniors,” Executive Director Carol Louise said. “This unique treatment enhances the quality of life for the senior by reducing stress and anxiety, and by inducing spiritual growth.”
Vegetable Garden: Winner: Steven DeBerg – Steven DeBerg’s Marengo production garden yields enough produce to go around. “We raise food for our own use and donate a significant portion to the Harvard food pantry,” DeBerg said. “The garden is also a place to relax and educate friends and fellow gardeners about techniques and alternative growing methods.”
Water Garden: Winner: Jill Kaman – When Jill Kaman’s family can’t find her, they can almost guarantee she’s in their Spring Grove garden, which boasts, among many other things, a pond with koi and an occasional visiting frog. “In this area, I have some of the same plants as the other area including balloon flower, bush clematis, various stepping plants, lilies, climbing roses, and perennial geranium,” she said. “Gardening has always been a form of relaxation and joy.”
