Master gardeners and Inverness residents William Sladcik and Judy Miller each have unique approaches to their craft. The results of their respective labors are truly spectacular, as the accompanying photographs attest. |
For Sladcik, a commercial photographer, gardening is an enjoyable form of social interaction. |
“I never hesitate to ring a doorbell when I see a particularly interesting garden,” Sladcik says. “I believe that homeowners love to have all of their hard work appreciated. The same thing is true if I am on a walk and see someone working on their yard. Stopping to chat is a delightful way to learn something and to pass the time. I’ve met so many interesting people that way.” |
Sladcik’s own garden is a melange of styles and techniques traditionally practiced in both Japan and England. |
“I love to go to bookstores to get gardening ideas. Other fine local resources include the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden.” |
“For the Asian portion of my horticulture,” Sladcik says, “I have utilized dwarf conifers and Japanese maples. They give a simple yet classic look. The English influence of the garden is more formalistic with defined borders. The merging of these seemingly disparate styles pushes the visual envelope a bit. It’s my way of illustrating that a garden can evolve into something truly special.” |
To Miller, whose activities include teaching Feng Shui to garden clubs and other organizations, a successful garden hinges on the principles of balance and flow. |
“Curved lines are best for energy,” Miller says. “This channels positive forces in the most beneficial ways. For balance, I utilize a combination of hardscape such as brick and gravel and landscape material. This gives visual interest and the proper Feng Shui proportions.” |
Miller’s garden occupies the area between the back of her home and the shores of Lake Inverness. |
“This project is fairly recent as we only moved to this house two years ago. It’s what I call a wedding cake garden where everything is layered into separate tiers. This makes the lake much more accessible as it can be approached through gradual steps. The design also provides different levels for various types of plants and color choices.” |
Both gardeners agree that working with midwestern climate conditions offers unique challenges. |
“Just think about what we’ve encountered so far this year,” Sladcik says. “We’ve had a dry cold spring, then a wet cool summer, followed by a drought. In Japan or in England these conditions wound not occur. It’s a challenge to keep everything going. My motto is dig deep, water a lot and pray for sun. I’d also advise liberal use of fertilizer.” |
Miller enjoys the unique character of this region’s foliage. |
“I take what will do well in this area and then combine it in pleasing ways. I tend to utilize perennials because they are more successful. Designing a garden is like dealing with life, as plants and people impact each other. What is beautiful outside your home will be beneficial to all areas of your daily living.” |
