PAINE YARD
924 South Delphia Ave
Four decades of gardening have taught me a lot, mostly that creating green spaces is incredibly important to me. A healthy and beautiful garden is essential to our sense of place and well-being. I’ve been an avid student and practitioner of ecological garden practices for many years now. In particular, I focused on perennial plant material after moving here from Pittsburgh in 1987. And, as I found out, Chicago soil and hardiness zones are not those of Pennsylvania! I also discovered that I needed to become a master of plants that can soak in water for a while after moving here the day of the big flood of August 1987! We are the lowest property in our entire neighborhood, so we collect standing water after big storms.
Over the years I have worked hard to make the garden not just a showcase for flowers & lovely plants, but one of hardy resilience that is “true to place” here in the north Midwest. I realized that fireflies, other wonderful insects, and especially birds seemed to have dwindled in numbers over the years, despite my diverse plantings. That’s when I became laser-focused on creating “layers” of plants, including bulbs, early wildflowers, trees & shrubs, more native perennials, and the longest-lasting summer annuals that insects and hummingbirds adore. Becoming a professional gardener, horticulturist, and horticulture educator has given me the knowledge and tools to do the best with what Bill & I have to create an oasis for us and wildlife. A top priority has been attracting an abundance of native bees, flower flies, and other insects that sustain life and are essential to attracting native songbirds. A diversity of pollinators and birds requires a large variety of food resources, nesting areas, shelter & water, and that’s what we strive to provide.
Our garden is where beauty meets ecology!
—Liz & Bill Paine
Four decades of gardening have taught me a lot, mostly that creating green spaces is incredibly important to me. A healthy and beautiful garden is essential to our sense of place and well-being. I’ve been an avid student and practitioner of ecological garden practices for many years now. In particular, I focused on perennial plant material after moving here from Pittsburgh in 1987. And, as I found out, Chicago soil and hardiness zones are not those of Pennsylvania! I also discovered that I needed to become a master of plants that can soak in water for a while after moving here the day of the big flood of August 1987! We are the lowest property in our entire neighborhood, so we collect standing water after big storms.
Over the years I have worked hard to make the garden not just a showcase for flowers & lovely plants, but one of hardy resilience that is “true to place” here in the north Midwest. I realized that fireflies, other wonderful insects, and especially birds seemed to have dwindled in numbers over the years, despite my diverse plantings. That’s when I became laser-focused on creating “layers” of plants, including bulbs, early wildflowers, trees & shrubs, more native perennials, and the longest-lasting summer annuals that insects and hummingbirds adore. Becoming a professional gardener, horticulturist, and horticulture educator has given me the knowledge and tools to do the best with what Bill & I have to create an oasis for us and wildlife. A top priority has been attracting an abundance of native bees, flower flies, and other insects that sustain life and are essential to attracting native songbirds. A diversity of pollinators and birds requires a large variety of food resources, nesting areas, shelter & water, and that’s what we strive to provide.
Our garden is where beauty meets ecology!
—Liz & Bill Paine
