Linda Stanford showcases her heart felt "memory gardens" in Illinois.
"Back in the Spring of 2013 Linda and Herb moved to Flossmoor, Ilinois and acquired a yard with trees, green bushes, one hosta variety along Butterfield Creek, a bridge and gazebo.
Today there is nothing formal about these ten gardens, just a copious amount of perennials, roses, flowering bushes, vegetables, herbs and lots of art. Each garden is dedicated in memory of a loved one featuring their favorite flower variety. There is also a garden dedicated to Alzheimer's and the most recent garden dedicated to the memory of Herb.
Recently the gardens were featured in one of the local garden walks and received many accolades."
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Comments
Such a nice way to commemorate loved ones.
Thank you Tim!
Herb and I were talking one day and I ask him what was his mother's favorite flower, he said she loved lilies.
That's how it all started.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful story and sentiment, Linda. Your lovely gardens keep memories alive and create a peaceful and relaxing environment to enjoy. Cheers from Australia
Thank you Frank!
Linda, Your gardens are terrific& the sentiment behind their design is heartwarming. " Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature" comes to mind when seeing your beautiful post this morning. Thank you & good luck, Joe
Thank you Joe!
What a wonderful, inspirational way to garden!
Thank you Noreen
How lovely!
Thank you Lily
Gazing upon your beautiful gardens must flood you with so many warm and loving memories. Life goes on, one way or another and you seem to have found the perfect recipe for keeping your loved ones close at hand. What a touching tribute. Thank you, Linda, for sharing your passion with us.
Yes Sheila! Can't wait til my Veggies are ready to eat.
Good morning, Linda. Gardening is a great way to both remember and honor loved ones. You've done it beautifully. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you Linda!
Please accept our sympathy on your loss of Herb. What a beautiful property you have created. I love the bridge out front, as well as all of the plants you have used. I hope you find solace as you tend your plants. I know I do.
Thank you Rhonda! Herb loved the gardens, he was hilarious calling me "his little farmer." It is definitely helping me through.
Dear Linda, such beauty, I especially love the picture of your Echinacea. I can't seem to grow any but the pink variety. What is the name of the flowering plants in your second photo? No doubt you have wonderful memories of Herb when ever you walk through your garden. Vikki in VA
The taller one is Dame's Rocket, the dark purple are Mountain Bluets (Cornflowers). They both self seed and if you keep them deadheaded they will blooms through September in Zone 5b
Oh yes Vikki, such beautiful memories
That lily is luscious. Thanks for sharing these photos. For me, it's the sight of red geraniums that makes me smile, as that was what my dad wanted in a big pot every summer at his lake cabin, with a dracaena smack in the middle. I went rogue one year and snuck in a trailing something or other. Balance. Ha.
Thank you Tia! I love dracaenas, just gorgeous!
Linda, thanks for sharing your garden and touching story with us. Hopefully your gardens bring a smile as you remember those you have honored. Beautiful.
Thank you!
What a lovely way to design a garden, Linda! I am sorry for the loss of your dear Herb. Many of my plants remind me of friends or family, too. I adore the deep red peonies that my Dad gave me from his garden and remember taking armloads of the flowers to my elementary school teachers near the end of the school year. Last month my cousin gave me some violets that came from my Grandpa's garden via my aunt's garden and hers. Grandpa has been gone for more than 50 years, but I am thrilled to have this link with him. Your garden will bring both tears and smiles, but I hope there are more smiles.
Thanks Lorraine! I love Peonies they are one of my favorites.
Mine, too, Linda!
What a lovely reason to create new garden beds...commemorating special people who have enriched and shared some of your life's journey. I hope the soothing joy in the act of planting helps to balance out the heavy heart that has to also be present...especially in the passing of your beloved Herb. Would you mind sharing what his most favorite flower was? I'm not sure I could easily answer that question for myself...you've given me something to think about.
Thank you!
Herb loved Roses and unfortunately the Rose Garden hadn't bloomed when I sent in the photos.
You must find such pleasure and solace in each of your garden areas. Quite lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Sonya!
My mom knows more about gardening than anyone I know, and she used it to honor the people she loves. I'm super proud!
Thanks Tina! Your Granny's Zinnias are now in full bloom.
Linda, how heartwarming to see this beautiful tribute that you have created come together just as naturally as God has intended. Herb indeed is smiling down on this garden and I know that with every blade of grass and every flower that blooms, his memory continues to march on forever with us all. Thank you for sharing this! It's simply stunning!
Thank you Tyra!
My memories of flower loving loved ones is so encouraging.
The garden is beautiful! What a lovely way to remember those who are gone but never forgotten.
Thank you Belinda! It's your turn now!
Linda,
As always, you have out done yourself!!!! Each year your garden is more and more beautiful. I know that Herb is bragging on "his little farmer" to all his friends in heaven!!
Angel Stanford
Thank you Angel! Yes, I'm really feeling like Herb's "Little Farmer" today. I actually have 3 ears of corn with green beans using the stalks as a trellis, I amazed myself with this one.
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