'Think of gardening as your kids' expert says at Naperville art and growing fest

A garden is an art form all its own.

Flowers bud and blossom. Fruits sprout and ripen. Colors combine to captivate as nature flourishes.

Visitors to the Gardener's Art Festival on Saturday at The Growing Place in Naperville reveled in the beauty of art and plants as the two combined during the event filled with art sales, live music and gardening talks.

More than 35 artists sold from booths nestled in and around the gardens at the shop, while experts explained the art of saving seeds, the design of artistic garden arranging, the ease of growing drought-tolerant succulents and the best plants that love the shade.

Charmaine Vlcek, the festival's keynote speaker, offered gardening tips.

"I kind of think of gardening as my kids - there are good days and there are bad days for the garden," she said. "It's not all going to happen in one year. You have to have a lot of patience if you are going to garden. It's constantly a work in progress.

"It's going to change every week and every month, but if it's your passion, you are going to enjoy doing it," she said.

The Pete Ellman Big Band Jazz Trio provided the music, while gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and cupcakes sold like hot cakes from food trucks.

The Growing Place hosted this year's festival while the family-owned garden center is celebrating its 80th year in business. It has locations in Naperville and Aurora.