Today’s photos come from Dennis and Patty Taylor.

We have been gardening in a quarter-acre lot in Zone 5 in Bourbonnais, Illinois, since 1999. We have been featured in the local garden club’s garden tour twice, in June 2004 and again in 2010. At the beginning, it was mostly a full-sun garden, but it has become more shady as the trees have matured. It is not a formal garden, and plants are allowed to move to their preferred location. Other than the pondless stream and the sprinkler system, we have done all the manual labor, which makes it all the more enjoyable. Although it has been 20 years in the making, it, like most gardens, remains a work in progress. There are so many plants and so little space. It is a peaceful retreat that we enjoy as much as the weather and the mosquitos allow, and we love sharing it with friends and neighbors.

Monarda (bee balm) and Helianthus (perennial sunflower)

The flower of a button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis, Zones 5–9), a native shrub much loved by butterflies.

Lillium ‘Rose Lilly Thalita’. This double-flowered Oriental lily blooms with layer upon layer of fragrant pink petals.

Our first attempt at growing tropical Plumeria in the container. Notice the huge, double flowers of the lily in the background.

A restful retreat with an orange azalea and witch hazel (Hamamelis, Zones 5–9) to the rear.

Another seating area.

An oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia, Zones 5–9) with purple leaf shamrock plant (Oxalis triangularis, Zones 6–10).

The hosta bed and a heritage river birch (Betula nigra, Zones 4–9).

A small retreat for the gnomes with a pond and seating area. The red cedar (Juniperus virginiana, Zones 2–9) came complements of the birds.

Jackmani clematis (Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ Zones 4–11).

Hydrangea ‘Bluebird’ (Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’, Zones 5–9) that has mostly blue but some pink flowers.

This final photo is from the deck where most of the enjoyment takes place, which usually involves soothing music and a glass of wine.

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