Garden Photo of the Day

Ginny’s Garden in Photos

Let's take a quick stroll through Ginny Stokes' northern Illinois garden and see how the year went!

"Hi. Just a few shots from my garden in northern Illinois from the past year. I hope you enjoy them."

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  1. jeffgoodearth 01/07/2016

    ok, you drew me right in with the head in the bowl and it just got better from that moment on. beautiful, lush AND colorful. your maple collection is jawdropping in the fall photo and those crisp edges along the turf. love it all

  2. diane_lasauce 01/07/2016

    Wow! Those maples are stunning! Great way to begin my dark winter January day!

  3. NCYarden 01/07/2016

    Goodness....Jap map envy! So crazy when plants act like lights - Love it.

  4. wGardens 01/07/2016

    A fun way to begin the photos with the "head"... and love the wonderful color with your fall photos! Awesome. Thanks for sharing~ your gardens are lovely!

  5. user-4691082 01/07/2016

    What a treat this morning. Jeff said it well, I agree! Thanks for the hope for 2016...can't wait!

  6. User avater
    meander_michaele 01/07/2016

    What a wonderful display of fall color with your Japanese maples, Ginny. They certainly are a star attraction along your paver pathway. I particularly like how the calm green of the boxwood type bushes and other evergreens seem to magnify the luminosity of the maples. It's all thoroughly captivating.

  7. User avater
    user-7007816 01/07/2016

    Beautiful garden. I love your use of colorful trees and shrubs.

  8. laurelmagrini 01/07/2016

    The Japanese maples are absolutely stunning! And I love that fountain-head-thingy.

  9. user-7007427 01/07/2016

    Nice. Beautiful and tranquil.

  10. VikkiVA 01/07/2016

    Stunning garden through the seasons. Love your fall color and your planted bowl in the first picture. Vikki in VA

  11. User avater
    HelloFromMD 01/07/2016

    Hi Ginny, we have had just enough winter to make us appreciate that smashing fall color of your maples. Great shots.

  12. hontell 01/07/2016

    wow, everyone is so eloquent, all I can say is wow!

  13. User avater
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 01/07/2016

    Well, Ginny, I think you have just whet everyone's appetite for more: more photos, more information. You've obviously got both the gardener's gene and the collector's gene. I just love this short tour through the seasons in your garden. Those Japanese maples are to die for, your containers are delightful and the winter interest in your garden is captivating.
    What is the structure in the snow scene? It has a roof, so I am wondering if it is attached to your house or a free-standing structure? And right behind it, what is the small tree with such great structure? The branches at the end seem so thick that it reminds me of Sumac.

    1. User avater
      meander_michaele 01/07/2016

      And, don't you also love the tree across the way with the cinnamon colored bark. It shows up so beautifully against the snow. I'm wondering what that is also. I would guess a 'Natchez' crape myrtle but , then again, I'm not sure if they are hardy as far north as Illinois. Do any crape myrtles grow up in your Ohio area, Tim?

      1. User avater
        Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 01/07/2016

        To the best of my knowledge, the hardiest crape myrtles that grow in Central Ohio are generally die-back shrubs, except after the mildest winters. I did purchase one with dark, dark purple leaves this fall, allegedly hardy to zone 6, figuring that even if it didn't get big or bloom, the foliage could be a great accent. I doubt that crape myrtle would survive at all in N. Illinois. I'm guessing that is Acer griseum, the paper-bark maple. They have pretty amazing cinnamon trunks that have that sort of stout appearance. Cheers!

        1. User avater
          meander_michaele 01/07/2016

          Was your crape myrtle one of the 'Diamond' series? I'll be real interested in how it does for you. I know I lingered (multiple times) around the display of them at Lowes and, for the life of me, I don't know why I talked myself out of buying one. I did love the super dark leaves!
          You have to be right about the cinnamon bark tree being a paperbark maple. It takes a long time of growing for a crape myrtle trunk to get that thick at the bottom...esp. in an area which is probably a challenge for them.

          1. User avater
            Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 01/07/2016

            Bingo! I was surprised to see Lowes carrying them and I think they were on sale. I don't remember which one (I'd have to look it up at home), but I am anxious to see how it performs. Those dark leaves are amazing.

      2. ginnystokes 01/07/2016

        I wish I could grow crepe myrtles! It's Acer Griseum or Paper bark maple. It does well in zone 5. The only bad thing, is that it doesn't leaf out till the middle of May. Scares me to death every year.

        1. User avater
          meander_michaele 01/07/2016

          Thanks for checking back in with the identifications, Ginny. I have a paperbark that I love dearly and, here further south (I live in eastern TN) , it leafs out earlier and doesn't make me worry.

    2. ginnystokes 01/07/2016

      Hi. The structure is over a hot tub. The tree behind it is a mature Tiger eye sumac. You have a good eye!

      1. User avater
        Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 01/08/2016

        Wow!! I've never seen a Tiger Eye so large, either in photos or in person. It's beautiful. Do you have problems with runners? I had mine in a container for a year because of fear of runners, but got brave this spring and planted it out. I hope it becomes as stately as yours!

        1. ginnystokes 01/08/2016

          I cut the runners that come up in the wrong spot. Occasionally one will sprout in a perfect place. I cut those in fall.

  14. GrannyMay 01/07/2016

    I'll just echo Tim, with both compliments and questions. Beautiful!

  15. annek 01/07/2016

    The head...oh the head! The maples...oh the maples! The winter scene...oh the winter scene! Dang, I just can't decide which is the most beautiful. Great photos of a delicious garden.

  16. GrannyCC 01/07/2016

    Love it all and would be interested in seeing more. The Japanese Maples just glow and I love the softness of the snow see. Thanks for sharing.

  17. sheila_schultz 01/07/2016

    Talk about a different take on a head pot, I love every single detail about this piece. It's a work of art in my eyes. And then there is your yard... In the heat of the summer, you must get excited thinking ahead about the explosion of color that is just around the corner for your gorgeous maples! Geez, those are beautiful Ginny! Where do you in N. IL? I spent most of my life N of Chicago. I do sometimes miss all the beautiful trees and being surrounded by green.

  18. schatzi 01/07/2016

    It's all beautiful, but those J.maples have me drooling! Absolutely gorgeous!

  19. User avater
    LindaonWhidbey 01/07/2016

    A beautiful garden for all seasons but your fall color is spectacular, Ginny.

  20. Cenepk10 01/07/2016

    4 seasons of beauty, there.With the wonderful selection of plantings-One is able to truly appreciate each season

  21. greengenes 01/07/2016

    How sweet is this today! Thanks so much Ginny for sharing with us! It is all so beautiful especially your fall colors! And yes...the pot! The pot! Awesome! Please send in more of your gardens! Happy new year!

    1. ginnystokes 01/07/2016

      Will do. Thanks!

  22. ginnystokes 01/07/2016

    Thank you all for your kind comments!

    1. perenniallycrazy 01/08/2016

      OMG! I love your garden personality and sense of humor Ginny. Hope we see more and more of your garden. Please tell us more about your gardening history and journey. Thanks for sharing.

      1. ginnystokes 01/08/2016

        Thanks! I hope to see all of yours also! And if you have cats....

  23. foxglove12 01/09/2016

    So vibrant! Love it.

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