Garden Walk: Rockford, IL (Post 3)

Our 3rd stop on the Garden Walk was the Benedict Garden.  This was more my style and more similar to the space I have to work with.  Many of the flowers and plants were shade tolerant selections.  Our 1st 2 stops were Chateau Neuf de Fleuve and the Durkee Gardens.
Here was the write up in our guide.

'Whether large or small, ornate or simple, a garden calms one.  Ten years ago the owner began creating a garden along an old fence line filled with garlic mustard, wild flowers and weed trees. The plan focused on a low budget, sweat equity, no design help and favorite plants.  The shade garden features a wide variety of plants including hostas, ferns, heucheras, hydrangeas and hemlocks along a winding path for easy viewing.  The grandchildren enjoy playing in the garden as it highlights a piece of garden are for each.  Later, garden areas were added for sun perennials, dry microclimate and a small spot for tomatoes and herbs.  Today the garden requires little work as the perennials are compact and unless dry, watering in not required."

Garden in shade and and sun

 This was the only garden I've visited that has that 6 foot wooden fence to soften and somewhat hide dilemma.  The fact that they have ALLL that down to pretty much water free and little work is absolutely amazing!!

The driveway entrance is colorful and interesting.  Another weeping evergreen was spotted!  I don't know if I only notice them once I decide I want one or they are really as unique as I hoped they were and it's just a fluke that 3 out of 3 gardens had one. Hmmm...
Notice the purple combinations.

Blood grass, Salvia, bell flower (I think) and the weeping evergreen

I liked the way the fenced was planted then the back of the property was dissected by a host island with paths on either side.  Very peaceful place

Always like the garden benches...

Another use of boulders (like the previous garden).  I'm not sure if those are lilies or Jack in the Pulpits.  I'm a sucker for garden art, and I liked the blue wide bottles on stakes hidden behind the barberry bush.

Japanese maples poking through a bed of deep blue hostas and a border of golden heucheras.  There is a path on both sides so you can enjoy the entire depth of the island

The other side of the border

Heucheras and creeping jenny rambling over a boulder border

Ditch lilies with garden art and the creeping jenny.