From Weeds to Wonder: A 25-Year Journey to a Suburban English Cottage Garden
Twenty-five years ago, we stood in the kitchen of our 1925 corner house in Western Springs, looking out at a snowy rectangle of grass. When the thaw finally came, it revealed a landscape of creeping charlie, orange ditch lilies, and buckthorn. There was even a curious relic left behind—a bright red, two-ton British telephone box sitting right in our line of sight!
Today, that 180ft x 50ft suburban plot in Zone 5b is our sanctuary. It’s a lush, English-inspired oasis that blends the romanticism of Gertrude Jekyll with the architectural structure of Vita Sackville-West and Sir Edwin Lutyens. It has been a labor of love, a series of “pleasant mistakes,” and a journey that has turned neighbors into lifelong friends.
The Vision: Bringing Sissinghurst to the Suburbs
As lifelong gardeners, our goal was to recreate the feel of the grand gardens we loved in England. We didn’t want just a backyard; we wanted an experience. Drawing inspiration from the collaboration between Lutyens and Sackville-West, we focused on the concept of “Garden Rooms.”
In a 50-foot wide lot, the temptation is to keep everything open to make it look “big.” We did the opposite. By using curved beds, tall structures, and distinct boundaries, we broke the 100-foot length of our garden into intimate spaces.
Elements of Our “Rooms”
Arbors as Doorways: Passing under an arbor—like the one blooming with Summer Snow Clematis—signals to your brain that you are entering a new “room.”
Vertical Interest: We used trellises and climbing plants like the ‘William Baffin’ rose to draw the eye upward, maximizing the 3D volume of the space.
The Power of Privacy: We planted a row of Arborvitae to create “living walls,” shielding us from the nearby driveway and creating a true sense of enclosure.
The “Fence Conversations”
Our garden sits on a prominent corner lot, and unlike many, we kept the street-side lot line open. This was a deliberate choice to share our joy with the community.
Our garden has become a local landmark, drawing visitors to see the Koi Pond and the Garden Railroad that winds through the trees. When we see a curious face, we often invite them in for a tour. These “fence conversations” have blossomed into wonderful friendships. We’ve found that a garden isn’t just about plants; it’s a catalyst for human connection.
The Evolution: When Sun Becomes Shade
Gardens are never truly “finished.” Over the last 25 years, our conditions have shifted. Those Arborvitae we planted for privacy are now incredibly tall, casting deep shade over what used to be a sunny bed.
We are currently in the middle of a major transformation:
The Great Removal: We are removing the boxwoods and hydrangeas that are struggling in the new shade.
The Railroad Redesign: We are shortening the garden railroad, keeping the circuits around the fairy garden and the pond bridge, but clearing space for a new vision.
The “Reject Bed”: Some of our plants find a second life in our “Reject Bed” by the driveway, while the rest are donated to the Western Springs Garden Club plant sale in May.
The AI Experiment
We recently tried using AI to visualize the new space. We asked it to remove the shrubs and add viburnums and hostas. While it helped us envision the space without the old plants, the results were… let’s say humorous. It’s a reminder that while technology is a fun tool, nothing replaces the intuition of a gardener who knows their soil.
The Winter of Research
As we move into the colder months, our project moves indoors. Gardening is 10% digging and 90% dreaming and researching. This winter, we’re diving into our library to plan the new shade room. Some of our go-to’s include:
The New Shade Garden by Ken Druse
Best Plants for Midwest Gardens by Laara K. Duggan
The Well-Designed Mixed Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust
“Gardening is full of mistakes, almost all of them pleasant and some of them actually instructive.” — Henry Mitchell
25 Years in the Making
From a blank canvas of weeds to a vibrant, living sanctuary, this garden has been grown with soil, water, and an immense amount of patience. Whether it’s the splash of a koi, the whistle of the garden train, or the scent of a blooming rose, we’ve learned that the beauty of a garden is in the journey, not just the destination.
What are you planning for your next garden transformation? Are you battling the shade or embracing the sun? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
Watch the Videos
25 years of backyard gardening in Zone 5b — from weeds to wonder with tips, tours & transformations! Welcome to Connie and Mark’s Magical Garden — a Zone 5b gardening adventure 25 years in the making!
What started as a plain patch of grass and weeds has blossomed into a lush, vibrant haven full of creativity and charm. Join us as we share inspiring before-and-after garden makeovers, DIY garden projects like our whimsical fairy garden, detailed garden railway with miniature ponds, and our peaceful koi pond.
Transform your outdoor space into a lush, enchanting retreat with these 5 essential things to consider before starting your magical garden! Join Mark and Connie as they share 25 years of hands-on gardening wisdom—from designing beautiful views from inside your home to understanding sun exposure, soil quality, and creating functional outdoor living areas.
Whether you’re planning your first garden or thinking of a total landscape makeover, this video offers practical garden design tips, real-life examples, and inspiration from a century-old home turned botanical haven. Perfect for anyone passionate about gardening, landscaping, and creating a backyard oasis!
When we first moved into our home 25 years ago, our backyard was nothing but a blank canvas—open lawn, no trees, no pathways, no pond… just space and possibility.
Today, that same space has become a living sanctuary filled with winding paths, lush garden beds, arbors draped in roses, a sparkling pond, and peaceful corners to sit and enjoy nature. In this video, I’m sharing a side-by-side look at our garden then and now, including rare photos from when we first moved in and new aerial footage that reveals just how much the space has changed.