2025 NIHS Garden Walks
We have some great garden walks scheduled for you to see this summer. These gardens have unique personalities created by their owners displaying hostas, perennials and annual flowers, shrubs, and trees that fit the landscape and design of their space. Some gardens also showcase water features.
Our garden hosts have worked hard to prepare their gardens for our visit. Please take time to go see these gardens on their respective dates and during the time they have set aside for the Northern Illinois Hosta Society to visit. They are eager to meet you and share their gardens with you
PLEASE WEAR YOUR NIHS NAMETAG AT THESE GARDEN WALKS.
Our garden hosts have worked hard to prepare their gardens for our visit. Please take time to go see these gardens on their respective dates and during the time they have set aside for the Northern Illinois Hosta Society to visit. They are eager to meet you and share their gardens with you
PLEASE WEAR YOUR NIHS NAMETAG AT THESE GARDEN WALKS.
One of the most popular benefits of being a member of Northern Illinois Hosta Society is the opportunity to tour spectacular and unique area gardens. Bill Brandt, Director at Large for Hosta Garden Walks, has put together an itinerary of 10 gardens over four Saturdays in June and July. So get out your calendars and reserve those dates!
Saturday, June 14, 2025 New Lenox, IL
The first garden walk features three homes on the same residential street of New Lenox, including Brandt’s own garden. New Lenox is located in southwest suburban Will County.
Bill & Leslie Brandt's Garden
1180 Hickory Creek Drive
New Lenox, IL 60451
Due to the mature stature of 100+ year old oak trees and the intense shade, hostas were a logical choice. Lots of thinning and repositioning has created more dappled light, as well as par al shade gardens that have welcomed a mix of sun and shade loving plants. The garden boasts almost 700 hostas along with numerous unique Japanese Maples, Hydrangeas, and companion plants. Over the course of 15 years, new beds and water features have added numerous focal points and plants
Bill & Leslie Brandt's Garden
1180 Hickory Creek Drive
New Lenox, IL 60451
Due to the mature stature of 100+ year old oak trees and the intense shade, hostas were a logical choice. Lots of thinning and repositioning has created more dappled light, as well as par al shade gardens that have welcomed a mix of sun and shade loving plants. The garden boasts almost 700 hostas along with numerous unique Japanese Maples, Hydrangeas, and companion plants. Over the course of 15 years, new beds and water features have added numerous focal points and plants
Jeff Alton
1200 Hickory Creek Drive
New Lenox, IL 60451
This garden was started more than 20 years ago on a one-acre woodland ravine lot abu ng Hickory Creek. Significant elevation changes needed to be terraced to stop erosion and to create workable gardening space. This resulted in a series of private garden rooms each with a different theme and plant selec on. The rooms include the Asian terrace, woodland garden, breakfast terrace, sunken garden, and the porch lawn.
1200 Hickory Creek Drive
New Lenox, IL 60451
This garden was started more than 20 years ago on a one-acre woodland ravine lot abu ng Hickory Creek. Significant elevation changes needed to be terraced to stop erosion and to create workable gardening space. This resulted in a series of private garden rooms each with a different theme and plant selec on. The rooms include the Asian terrace, woodland garden, breakfast terrace, sunken garden, and the porch lawn.
Joe Posewick Garden
1150 Hickory Creek Drive
New Lenox, IL 60451
This garden in a one-acre wooded lot has a 200-foot frontage along Hickory Creek, near where a Potawatomi village and burial site was discovered in 1993. The lower lot along the creek has numerous varie es of na ve plants and trees, medita on areas, a totem pole dedicated to the past inhabitants of the area, and a Burr Oak that may be the oldest tree in our area. The front and side yards feature Sugar, Norway and Red Maple trees, Kentucky Coffee trees, a Swiss Stone Pine, Pachysandra, a Weeping White Spruce, As lbe, and ‘Big Daddy’ hostas. The backyard has a 2000-gallon Koi pond with waterfall, and a 15-foot totem pole featuring local animals.
1150 Hickory Creek Drive
New Lenox, IL 60451
This garden in a one-acre wooded lot has a 200-foot frontage along Hickory Creek, near where a Potawatomi village and burial site was discovered in 1993. The lower lot along the creek has numerous varie es of na ve plants and trees, medita on areas, a totem pole dedicated to the past inhabitants of the area, and a Burr Oak that may be the oldest tree in our area. The front and side yards feature Sugar, Norway and Red Maple trees, Kentucky Coffee trees, a Swiss Stone Pine, Pachysandra, a Weeping White Spruce, As lbe, and ‘Big Daddy’ hostas. The backyard has a 2000-gallon Koi pond with waterfall, and a 15-foot totem pole featuring local animals.
Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Gurnee-Beach Park
The second garden walk features two homes in north suburban Lake County.
The second garden walk features two homes in north suburban Lake County.
Joe & Monica Jansen's Garden
640 Yorktown Lane
Gurnee, IL 60031
This garden seeks to embody harmony with nature, blending calming shades of different greens with cap va ng textures and hues. The reds and yellows of more than 60 varieties of Japanese maples mix with the serene blues and greens of more than 75 varieties of conifers, along with the lush elegance of more than 1,000 varieties of hostas to create a living tapestry that doesn’t rely on flowers. Cozy sitting areas invite moments of relaxation, while the water features add a soothing, meditative ambiance.
640 Yorktown Lane
Gurnee, IL 60031
This garden seeks to embody harmony with nature, blending calming shades of different greens with cap va ng textures and hues. The reds and yellows of more than 60 varieties of Japanese maples mix with the serene blues and greens of more than 75 varieties of conifers, along with the lush elegance of more than 1,000 varieties of hostas to create a living tapestry that doesn’t rely on flowers. Cozy sitting areas invite moments of relaxation, while the water features add a soothing, meditative ambiance.
Doug & Ellen Erickson's Garden
37511 Lake Crest Drive
Beach Park, IL 60087
This garden is surrounded by a lush forest preservation area, covering just over an acre of land. A er moving their beloved hosta collection from a previous home, they have used sustainable and regenerative gardening practices to make their garden thrive. The hosta collection features more than 80 varieties of Lakeside hostas, many of which are OS. Their true passion lies in the streaked hostas—those with unique pa erns of color. Ellen has taken her passion a step further by experimenting with hybridizing them. Also known as "Tomato Lady," Ellen is also well-known for her impressive collection of heirloom tomato varieties. Each year, she cultivates 60 to 80 different varieties in her garden.
37511 Lake Crest Drive
Beach Park, IL 60087
This garden is surrounded by a lush forest preservation area, covering just over an acre of land. A er moving their beloved hosta collection from a previous home, they have used sustainable and regenerative gardening practices to make their garden thrive. The hosta collection features more than 80 varieties of Lakeside hostas, many of which are OS. Their true passion lies in the streaked hostas—those with unique pa erns of color. Ellen has taken her passion a step further by experimenting with hybridizing them. Also known as "Tomato Lady," Ellen is also well-known for her impressive collection of heirloom tomato varieties. Each year, she cultivates 60 to 80 different varieties in her garden.
Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: West Chicago-Geneva
The third garden walk features three homes in west suburban Kane and DuPage counties.
The third garden walk features three homes in west suburban Kane and DuPage counties.
David & Molly Zacker's Garden
506 Timbers Trail
St Charles, IL 60174
St Charles, IL: About 25 years ago they started their garden with a nearly blank slate. Working around the trees, they added retaining walls and paths, so that they could enter the garden versus viewing it. They sought out plants from local nurseries, plant sales and “gi s” from friends, filling the bed with na ve plants, a variety of perennials and lots and lots of architectural elements that anchor crea ve vigne es throughout the yard. Luther Garden,
506 Timbers Trail
St Charles, IL 60174
St Charles, IL: About 25 years ago they started their garden with a nearly blank slate. Working around the trees, they added retaining walls and paths, so that they could enter the garden versus viewing it. They sought out plants from local nurseries, plant sales and “gi s” from friends, filling the bed with na ve plants, a variety of perennials and lots and lots of architectural elements that anchor crea ve vigne es throughout the yard. Luther Garden,
June Luther
226 E Grand Lake Blvd
West Chicago, IL
The hosta collection in this garden has grown exponentially over the years, thriving alongside a diverse array of other plants and shrubs. A tranquil pond, complete with two cascading waterfalls and a thriving population of goldfish, adds a soothing soundtrack to the garden. Recent challenges in the loss of some trees have created opportunities for terracing parts of hostas. This garden is a family affair, inspired by an older genera on and shared with a younger genera on.
226 E Grand Lake Blvd
West Chicago, IL
The hosta collection in this garden has grown exponentially over the years, thriving alongside a diverse array of other plants and shrubs. A tranquil pond, complete with two cascading waterfalls and a thriving population of goldfish, adds a soothing soundtrack to the garden. Recent challenges in the loss of some trees have created opportunities for terracing parts of hostas. This garden is a family affair, inspired by an older genera on and shared with a younger genera on.
Holly Clark
2127 Williamsburg Ave
Geneva, IL 60134
This garden is 36 years in the making, evolving from a new build without a blade of grass, flowers, or a shrub in sight to a unique garden tapestry that includes a large variety of hostas. This one-quarter acre lot feels much larger due to an eclec c collec on of found treasures and the yard. Other loss of shade has called for crea ve solu ons, with strategically planted fast-growing shrubs and installed sun sails to create much-needed respite from the sun.
2127 Williamsburg Ave
Geneva, IL 60134
This garden is 36 years in the making, evolving from a new build without a blade of grass, flowers, or a shrub in sight to a unique garden tapestry that includes a large variety of hostas. This one-quarter acre lot feels much larger due to an eclec c collec on of found treasures and the yard. Other loss of shade has called for crea ve solu ons, with strategically planted fast-growing shrubs and installed sun sails to create much-needed respite from the sun.
Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Barrington-Carpentersville
The fourth garden walk features two homes in northwest suburban Lake and Kane counties.
The fourth garden walk features two homes in northwest suburban Lake and Kane counties.
Mary Giacalone
3254 White Oak Circle
Carpentersville, IL
Located adjacent to the 400 acre Raceway Woods preserve, the garden holds close to 200 varie es of hosta, 600 varie es of daylilies, and numerous other companion plants. The area undulates as it was formed by a glacial moraine. When the house was built, they did not want to disturb the hillsides and Oak trees, so over 100 boulders were brought in crea ng a drama c effect.
3254 White Oak Circle
Carpentersville, IL
Located adjacent to the 400 acre Raceway Woods preserve, the garden holds close to 200 varie es of hosta, 600 varie es of daylilies, and numerous other companion plants. The area undulates as it was formed by a glacial moraine. When the house was built, they did not want to disturb the hillsides and Oak trees, so over 100 boulders were brought in crea ng a drama c effect.
Peggy Judd
221 Westfield Way
Barrington, IL
This spectacular garden sits on five acres. The back two to three acres are a shade garden with 50-60 na ve mature oaks, cherry, catalpa and hickory nut trees. This garden started with an extensive koi pond close to the house, and a number of water features have been added over the years (built by Aquascapes). Although there are hundreds of hostas, none are labeled and most of them have never been split. The shade garden also has a variety of hydrangeas, many varie es of grasses, a day lily garden (30 varie es) and indigenous plants like jack-in-the pulpit, trillium, mayapples, swamp milkweed and wild ginger to name a few.
Thank you for visiting all of our beautiful gardens this summer that Bill arranged with these lovely gardeners.
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