Garden Photo of the Day

Seasons in Lyle’s Garden

Blooms from spring to fall

beautiful full garden

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.

daffodilsIn spring, most of the perennials are still underground or just beginning to grow, and the daffodils (Narcissus species and hybrids, Zones 3–8) dominate.

View of the spring garden from above.The spring garden

Daffodils are joined by tulips and grape hyacinthsDaffodils 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.

full green gardenEverything is starting to look fuller and greener.

LilacThis lilac (looks like Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ Zones 3–8) is in full bloom.

Siberian irisesSiberian irises (Iris hybrid, Zones 3–8) shine when in bloom, and their grass foliage will keep looking good the rest of the summer.

Robinia pseudoacaciaThis tree is gorgeous; it looks like it might be Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Twisty Baby’, (Zones 4–8).

dayliliesIn summer, daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids, Zones 4–9) step into the limelight.

Wide view of the garden in peak summer growth.The garden in peak summer growth

clematisJust 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

  1. User avater
    treasuresmom 01/19/2022

    Love all the green you have. I suspect a lot of that gives you good winter interest.

  2. PattyLouise 01/19/2022

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

  3. cheryl_c 01/19/2022

    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!

  4. User avater
    eviekwhit 01/19/2022

    Lovely to see the progression of your garden through the months with wonderful use of trees, shrubs and perennials.

  5. User avater
    simplesue 01/19/2022

    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!

    1. user-7007755 01/19/2022

      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.

  6. PG20 01/19/2022

    Lovely home and gardens. Iris and ninebark pretty together…orange hues and purple complement nicely.

  7. btucker9675 01/19/2022

    Such a pretty house and garden - love that "Twisty Baby"! Your neighbors are fortunate to have you!

  8. Cenepk10 01/19/2022

    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!

  9. [email protected] 01/19/2022

    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?

    1. user-7007755 01/19/2022

      Prairie Fire Crabapple

  10. Maggieat11 01/20/2022

    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. 🌱

  11. pattyspencer 01/21/2022

    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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