Garden Walk 2026

What began as a blank slate—a former corn and soybean field with just three trees and no grass—has evolved into a deeply personal garden retreat on nearly two acres. Over the years, we have planted hundreds of trees, transforming what was once full sun into a rich tapestry of sun and shade. Along the back of the property, a complete willow wall now creates privacy, movement, and a beautiful natural backdrop.

At the heart of the garden stands a Bald Cypress, our first true “investment tree,” which sparked a passion for collecting unusual conifers and Japanese maples. Today, the landscape features an extensive collection of both, woven throughout garden rooms, pathways, containers,  and seating areas.
Our “we shed” serves as a favorite gathering place for entertaining family and friends.

Many of the garden’s decorative touches and plants have meaningful stories—sourced from local small businesses, discovered during road trips, found through unique online shops, or gifted by friends. Gardening here has been a journey of creativity, patience,

and trial and error, with many plants moving from bed to bed before finding their perfect home. The result is an ever-evolving garden filled with personality, memories, and a sense of peaceful discovery.

We welcome you to our garden, have a seat, grab a drink, and enjoy!

Our garden is about the average size for a city lot (approximately one-quarter acre), but

with a pie-shaped configuration that is wide in front and narrow in back. There are many

mature trees in the garden, including maples, spruces, pines, and firs, which makes

things predominantly shady. Being a collector at heart (some may say hoarder), I have

added many ornamental trees, including beech, weeping cypress, hinoki cypress,

weeping evergreen, yew, dogwood, crabapple, and about a dozen Japanese maples.

There are also many shrubs and perennials, including roses, viburnums, barberries,

hostas, fifty or so hydrangeas, and another fifty or so boxwoods. My collecting also

spills over into birdhouses, sculptures, wall hangings, and other garden art and

decorations.  Perhaps my favorite elements in the yard are the numerous paths—

approximately 500 feet worth—that meander, loop, and criss-cross throughout; in the

west front yard there’s a flagstone path with stone bench, watched over by three large

trees. From there you can glimpse (but please don’t walk on) our neighbor’s beautiful

moss garden. In the back yard, more paths run down the west side, up the east, and in

many directions in between. These all offer easy access for gardening chores, a variety

of views and perspectives, and most of all, FUN!

Our love for gardening runs deep—rooted in a profound appreciation for nature, beauty,

and the quiet joy that comes from nurturing life. Over the years, we have worked

diligently to cultivate more than just a garden; we have created a whimsical sanctuary

designed to transport visitors into a world filled with peace, wonder, and natural

harmony. Every winding path, blooming flower, and thoughtfully placed plant has been

chosen with intention, creating an enchanting escape where time seems to slow and the

soul can truly rest.

At the heart of our garden is a commitment to native cultivars and sustainable planting

practices that honor the natural landscape. By incorporating native flowers, grasses,

and shrubs, we have created a thriving habitat that welcomes an abundance of

butterflies, busy bees, and graceful hummingbirds. Their presence brings the garden to

life—fluttering wings, gentle humming, and vibrant movement weaving magic into every

corner. These pollinators are not only essential to the health of the environment, but

they also add a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world.

Our garden is meant to be more than something beautiful to admire; it is an

experience—an invitation to breathe deeply, wander slowly, and rediscover the simple

serenity found in nature’s embrace.

Our garden sits on six and a half acres of wooded rural property, where mature white

oaks and hickory trees create a naturally peaceful and shaded setting. 

Beginning in the parking area along our south property line, visitors may begin by

exploring the oak savannah restoration to the right, a project we have been gradually

developing by hand over the past fourteen years.  Straight ahead, the main yard

features a mix of open lawn and landscaped beds that border the woods and surround

the home.  To the left, two prairie areas include mowed paths that invite closer views of

grasses and native plantings, with the grasses especially prominent in early July.

While much of the landscape is intentionally natural, several more manicured garden

beds near the house provide contrast and structure.  These feature a variety of hostas,

ornamental grasses, dwarf conifers, and small trees, including redbuds, Japanese

maples, and dogwoods.  A dry creek bed marks the transition to the woods, and a brick

patio and walkways offer spaces to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

Over the past fifteen years, nearly all previous plantings have been replaced with new

plants selected and installed by us. The result is a quiet, evolving landscape shaped by

both intention and the character of the land.

Our garden is a shaded woodland retreat designed to invite exploration, reflection, and

discovery. Mature trees create a cool canopy overhead, while shifting patterns of

dappled sunlight illuminate winding paths, textured foliage, and carefully layered

plantings throughout the landscape. Native and non-native trees, shrubs, and

perennials are blended together to create a naturalistic setting rich in color, form, and

seasonal interest.

Throughout the garden, artistic touches appear around every turn. Sculptures are

thoughtfully placed among the plantings, creating moments of surprise and whimsy

while complementing the tranquil woodland setting. The soothing sound of moving

water can be heard throughout the garden from seven separate fountains, each adding

its own unique character and sense of calm.

Three handcrafted wooden footbridges inspired by Asian garden design span gentle

transitions within the landscape and encourage visitors to slow down and take in the

surroundings. Moss, shade-loving plants, ornamental shrubs, and woodland textures

combine to create an atmosphere that feels secluded and peaceful despite being within

the city.

This garden is intended not only as a collection of plants, but as an immersive

experience celebrating nature, art, water, and serenity.

I’m a Rockford native who “ran off to see the world” never planning to return, yet I’ve been home

for over thirty years. The only home my husband and I owned before this property was a third-

floor condo with a rooftop deck covered in Astroturf hosting one flower box I filled each year with

whatever annuals were available at the corner market. That is the only gardening experience I

brought with me to 700 Coolidge Place.

You might say I am an enthusiastic novice gardener. I enjoy experimenting with plants of all

textures, sizes, and colors. I’m especially fond of trees and rocks. My garden is a collection of

planting areas that wrap around our yard whenever I could steal a spot from my husband’s

precious grass. I would start with a tree and some boulders and then, little by little, plant until the

mulch started to spill into the grass and Brian would have to start edging around it.