My name is Lyle Johnson. I have been gardening on a 60-foot by 180-foot city lot in Galesburg, Illinois, for a little more than 30 years. Over that time the garden has gone through many transformations. I submitted some photos a few years ago. I’m sure they will illustrate a lot of the changes. (Do check out the previous post; it is fun to see how much the garden has grown!) One of the things I like about gardening is observing the adjustments that have been necessary over the years. Several trees have come and gone. Just about the time you have a nice shady area to garden, something changes and you’re trying to adapt to a full-sun situation. It’s also interesting to observe the changes that happen month to month. A plant you barely notice one month becomes the center of attention the next.
In spring, most of the perennials are still underground or just beginning to grow, and the daffodils (Narcissus species and hybrids, Zones 3–8) dominate.
The spring garden
Daffodils are joined by tulips (Tulipa hybrids, Zones 3–8) and grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum, Zones 4–8) as other perennials begin to push up growth.
Everything is starting to look fuller and greener.
This lilac (looks like Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ Zones 3–8) is in full bloom.
Siberian irises (Iris hybrid, Zones 3–8) shine when in bloom, and their grass foliage will keep looking good the rest of the summer.
This tree is gorgeous; it looks like it might be Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Twisty Baby’, (Zones 4–8).
In summer, daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids, Zones 4–9) step into the limelight.
The garden in peak summer growth
Just a lump of green in the last photo, this clematis (probably either Clematis terniflora or C. virginiana, Zones 5–9) transforms into a mass of fragrant flowers in the fall.
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Comments
Love all the green you have. I suspect a lot of that gives you good winter interest.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Lyle, I love how your placement of the trees and larger shrubs so effectively screens out the neighbors' houses, without using a privacy fence or a hedge. So you still have an open, explorable look to the yard but a sense of wonderful solitude as well! Excellent job!
Lovely to see the progression of your garden through the months with wonderful use of trees, shrubs and perennials.
A darling house and garden with tons of curb appeal!
I just had to save your photo of your Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Twisty Baby’, (Zones 4–8) with all the big healthy Solomon's Seal growing beneath it. Oh if I could just squeeze in one more tree!
I used to work at a garden center. When that tree came in on a truck I said "that's mine" as soon as I saw it. It's turned out to be a center of attention. I trim branches that try to grow upright every year to maintain the horizontal appearance.
Lovely home and gardens. Iris and ninebark pretty together…orange hues and purple complement nicely.
Such a pretty house and garden - love that "Twisty Baby"! Your neighbors are fortunate to have you!
Such a dramatic transformation from season to season. Really stunning garden with such variety. I always look forward to winter when everything is growing so powerfully, it’s as if I ‘ll be swallowed up ! Really nice & I thank you for sharing!
Great garden, and I appreciate reading all the comments- that's how I realized that is a ninebark with the irises! What is the beautiful pink-blooming tree?
Prairie Fire Crabapple
Loved your photos, thank you so much for sharing.🍃. I, too, have a twisty baby, one of my most cherished trees.(although mine does not send up vertical growth). A fabulous garden and lovely home. 🌱
Lovely garden - I bet your neighbors are loving it as well. Ahh Autumn Clematis - a bane in my garden - have been pulling it out for over 20 years - it just moves from one area to my yard to another lol
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