The FREE 2025 Council of Rockford Gardeners Garden Walk will take place on Wednesday, July 9, from 1pm to 8pm.
(The Garden Walk will always take place on the first Wednesday after July 4th.)
The Council of Rockford Gardeners FREE Garden Walk has been a garden enthusiast’s summer tradition for over 40 years. Through the years over 240 gardens have been featured on the Council’s Annual Free Garden Walk, attracting about 30,000 visitors.
As always, this is a “rain or shine” event. The Council’s Annual Free Garden Walk is a great outing for all ages to enjoy. Addresses for each property will be provided a few days prior to the event.
2025 Garden Walk (Click on first photo to start photo gallery.)
Owner descriptions
Garden Walk access for individuals with mobility issues may be limited at certain gardens, since most gardens have inclines, steps, narrow paths and uneven terrain.
- The McQueary Garden
Our gardens began more than forty years ago when we built our home. They have grown over the years and include more than fifty varieties of hostas. A special favorite is ‘June’ with its heavy blue-green leaves accentuated with white and yellow tones. We have a number of mini hostas including ‘Baby Bunting’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’. Perennials are found throughout and coneflowers and rose campion will be blooming in July. We accent the gardens with annuals and many potted geraniums (several of which are more than ten years old). Garden art is scattered throughout and a tree stump has been transformed into a gnome house. A large maple was lost to a tornado and its remaining trunk has a face and outstretched arms. Near the patio is a rustic potting table with sink and a bubbling boulder. A garden shed with a small porch, flower boxes, and a cupola complete the gardens.
- The James Garden
When we moved to this beautiful home in 2015 it had an overgrown wooded lot (former maple syrup farm) with only one type of hosta. In 2017 we happened upon a closing hosta nursery and Rob’s addiction took off (with Ann’s support). The facebook page was created, hosta hybridizing began, vacation time was used for hosta conventions and more and more hostas were added. We now have over 650 named varieties of hosta and hundreds of seedlings. In 2021 installing a new septic system and adding a pool meant removing hundreds of maple trees and starting over with plant locations. The decision was made to let go of the dream (for now) of a hosta nursery with row upon row of different hosta varieties. Instead, we now have a garden that offers hardy hibiscus, hydrangeas, conifers, Japanese maples and much more. Although Rob can’t tell you the name of every plant in the garden – he can tell you the name of every hosta. We look forward to sharing all the hard work and beauty with you. You can follow Rob’s garden shenanigans and see hosta pics at www.facebook.com/holyhostafarm
- The Holmes Garden
Our Spanish style home sits on an acre of eclectic landscape. The east yard displays a Colorado/Pacific theme, with a variety of Japanese maples, white pines, yews, junipers, yellow roses, Colorado blue spruces, a burgundy katsura, false cypress ‘Golden Mop’, weeping hemlock, Korean firs, magnolia ‘Ricki’, and rock outcroppings. The southern exposure is designed for enjoying wildlife from the metal bench by the stone pond/waterfall or from the two-level ironwood deck. This exposure is framed with arborvitaes, maple trees, lilacs, red twig dogwoods, a rose trellis, three raised vegetable garden beds, and strawberry/herb bed. A Pennsylvania bluestone path encircles the house; steps lead to a pond and a dry creek bed, and there is a bluestone patio where you can enjoy an English rose garden lined with boxwoods and arborvitaes.
Our southwestern yard is set with wildflowers, arborvitaes ‘Sunkist’ and ‘Techny’, and trees and shrubs in beds to afford privacy and an overall peaceful distance view.
Along our driveway are spruces, weeping larch, hemlock and a weeping Serbian
spruce that resembles a giraffe; there are perennials on one side, and on the other are grasses, Russian sage and a yellow magnolia. The northern side features rhododendrons, azaleas, Douglas firs, Norway spruces, redbuds, hostas, ferns, and hydrangeas. Along the front stone walkway are coneflowers, witchhazel, lime hydrangeas, white roses and two rows of boxwoods guarded by five
stately arborvitaes. There is a three-tier fountain and benches from which views including a tricolor beech tree may be enjoyed. Weeping Serbian spruces define the corners of the house, and mixed throughout the beds are a variety of coral bells.
- The Keller Garden
Our almost half-acre, wooded property in Old Oaks subdivision is surrounded by large oak, maple, pine, and walnut trees providing dense and dappled shade for much of our yard and garden spaces. There are hostas, ferns, heucheras, lungworts, a variety of grasses, as well as other shade-loving plants. The main driveway entrance is lined with favorite shade plants and a seating area. In the backyard, a courtyard patio with a dining area is surrounded by arborvitae, boxwoods, Japanese maples, dappled willows, topiaries and colorful container plantings. One corner opens to a dense wooded lot with wildlife that visit occasionally. Our “pine corner” includes a seating area and is surrounded by large pine trees casting dense shade. Our sunniest areas are along the back of the house and deck, great places for a redbud tree along with sun-loving perennials and plants that add color and attract many pollinators. The front garden areas are shaded by a large pine, burning bush, and Japanese maple that bring color much of the year. In the eight years we have lived here, we have transformed and enlarged the garden areas into a peaceful, relaxing haven.
- The McClanahan Garden
Step into a backyard sanctuary where nature’s artistry unfolds across every season. Meandering through this vibrant garden, you’ll encounter serene koi ponds bordered by lush hostas and vigorous azaleas, offering tranquil reflections and movement beneath the surface. A charming Japanese bridge arches gracefully over the water, framed by elegant yellow irises and floating water lilies, inviting quiet contemplation.
In spring, the garden bursts to life with the vertical spires of lupine and the sweet scent of blooming magnolia. The lavender redbud tree adds a touch of delicate color against the structured greenery of arborvitae, creating balance and year-round interest. Peonies unfurl in early summer, adding soft, full blossoms in delicate hues.
As the season progresses, the garden transforms with vibrant summer blooms—obedient plant and spiderwort dance among clusters of bell flowers and golden black-eyed Susans. Assorted ornamental lilies stand tall, their striking colors and patterns adding drama to the lush borders. This thoughtfully curated landscape blends color, texture, and tranquility, offering a peaceful retreat and a feast for the senses throughout the growing season. Whether viewed from the bridge or nestled on a shaded bench, this garden is a living tapestry of beauty and serenity.
- The Hess Garden
After 25 years and a crumbling tie wall, we decided a major renovation was needed. We had two goals: that the landscape blend into the forest area in a natural way, and for the garden to be a panorama that could be viewed in its entirety from our porch. To that end, we brought in 270,000 pounds of rock and created a pondless water feature accented by potted cattails and driftwood. Heavy shade makes plant selection challenging; however, color and texture are everywhere in the garden. Where sun is adequate you’ll see coneflowers, daisies, roses, iris, and more. Less sunny areas include ligularia with its dark purple leaves and yellow flowers, different varieties of hostas, Japanese maple, and hydrangea. Our landscape also features concolor fir, tricolor beech, Japanese lilac, flowering crabapples, variegated dogwood, honey locust, and a variety of conifers that beautifully complement the native hardwoods.Geraniums and impatiens help to provide color that pops in the shadier areas. There is accent lighting throughout the garden. The water cascading from the pillars of our stone fountain evokes the mesmerizing flow of molten lava. We spend much time in the early morning and evening enjoying our garden’s serenity.
Prior years Garden Walk
2023 Garden walk
This year the Council featured six Rockford area gardens (two of which were in Cherry Valley) for the public to view at their leisure.
Garden Walk 2022
We thank our 6 garden owners for participating in the Garden Walk 2022. It was a beautiful day with beautiful gardens!
Click on any garden image to begin a slide show.
Hoelting Garden
Owens Garden
Ketcher Garden
Webber Garden
Panek Garden
Drnek Garden
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Do you have a garden to show?
If you have a beautiful garden or can recommend someone who does, it might be perfect to be showcased at a future Garden Walk. The Council of Rockford Gardeners has been hosting Free Garden Walks for about 30 years. This event, held the first Wednesday after July 4th, has become one of the premiere garden walks in Northern Illinois. We are always looking for unique area gardens, large or small to be a part of our annual Free Garden Walk. Sharing your garden can be a very rewarding experience and a great gift to the gardening community. If you would be interested in finding out more details, please contact us by clicking here.
Photos from the FREE 2019 Garden Walk
Click on any garden image to begin a slide show.
The FREE 2018 Garden Walk was enjoyed by a record number of garden enthusiasts!
2017 Garden Walk
