Gardens Adorned

The plant groupings were endless. Containers were plentiful as were the ingredients that filled them. The thought and work that went into this estate and its surrounding gardens is the result of an alliance between a man's imagination and his hand with nature at its best. I had the opportunity to tour Craig Bergman's garden (a well known Chicago area landscape architect) on Sunday afternoon. His talent and design sense were obvious. The ou's and ah's seemed to be a chorus with the visitors that walked these gardens showing such pleasure and joy to be experiencing such beauty. The garden elements and the surprises nature had allowed him to create were plentiful. Come take a look . . . .

The path leading to the back gardens. . . I never

knew there were Dwarf Barberry (the red shrubs

on the right)

This etched stone was at the beginning of the path I have

shown you above. Not quite sure of the plant material

between the stones, but it released a wonderful fragrance

when stepped on.

This path was back in the Woodland Garden. Note the many shaded

plants and especially the hostas that had not been affected by the sun

after our terrible 100 degree weather a few weeks ago. We asked

one of his gardeners who was available for questions. . . . Why are none of

your hosta leaves not burned on the edges? He explained that not

only do they have to be watered frequently during such heat, but you

must also water the leaves. He explained that the leaves hold moisture

and thus a greater survival rate in over 100 degree temperatures.

NOTE: I love the mulch and the border of tree branches for a

woodland garden.

The end of the Woodland Garden path. It was so beautiful. The gate

was satin with age and I couldn't help wonder who had passed through

those gates many years ago.

Up close, the original hardware was still intact and rusted perfectly. The

gate had been secured to a new cement post close to the same color as

the gate.

A cement birdbath had been reborn with small

rocks of all different colors then planted with a

ground cover. Very effective.

This stone wheel barrel had been planted with various kinds of ferns

and was in a rather shaded area of this woodland garden. I loved

the various textures of ferns used for this planting.

From one of the back gardens, the house, the offices, the pool (far left and beyond the

rod iron fence)

A wonderful example of grey in the garden. Bruneria planted

at the base of an old tree. This plant flowers in the spring and

has tiny blue flowers.

This planting was beautiful with its small purple flowers.

I am sorry that I don't know its name. Does anyone

have any idea?

The filled containers on this estate were numerous and placed so

perfectly and filled so perfectly as well! The range of containers

used went from old to new, from cement to zinc, from urns to rain

barrels from Europe.

Another container garden

Areas to rests and relax were sprinkled all over the gardens. While not real visible,

This piece of stone (cement) had been cut to fit over an iron urn as a place to

put a glass of ice tea.

Great contrast in planting, not only in texture, but in color.

Shapes, contrast, borders and statuary

Love the placement of brick and stone in this eye catching statement. Artemesia

in the background that had come back from last year. Since it is an

annual, it was not supposed to.

When I thought I had seen it all . . . books strategically placed

on a stone bench. Of course we examined them and they were real,

but had been treated with a watered down cement to withstand the elements.

Truly amazing. I am going to experiment!!!

Love this stone planter filled with a succulant ground cover!

This boxwood had been shaped like a pear. Note the iron stem

of the pear at the top! Fabulous!

What fabulous texture and mixture of plantings. Note the urn high on a column

Brilliant I would say!

A very well appointed pergola! Note the support of the overhead beams

They were of some sort of slate and held by layers of cement.

A wonderful collection of succulents sitting on top os

an old silverplated tray. Another one to try!! It had been

placed on a glass tabletop with a cement textured base.

The "other side" of the fence.

Fabulous plantings of texture and color. NOTE: The terre cotta border

and been left in a storage area when purchased by Craig. It was at least

65 years old.

An indoor foyer to an office.

Craig Bergman's Offices.

I know this was a long post, but there was so much to see and share. I hope

you have retrived a few good ideas to incorporate into your own gardens.