Garden home

Betty Holmberg cannot grow a plant indoors to save her life, so it's more than a bit surprising to see a landscape awash with color and greenery.

The backyard of Betty and Marshall Holmberg's Schaumburg home has always been an extension of their living space. When their two children were younger, the yard was an open field, perfect for running and playing. Later, as their son and daughter matured, the yard became the scene of many pre-college send-off parties.

"This is the place where the kids were always welcome," Betty said.

As their family evolved, so did the yard, until it became what it is today -- an extension of the house, complete with "rooms" where one can dine, read a book, play or simply relax.

The creation started slowly, more so with objects than with plantings. First came a hot tub, now gone, just outside the family room door. Then came the pond, which was a Mother's Day present from the Holmberg children about 10 years ago.

Taken individually, none of the elements of the Holmberg house and garden are unusual. The house, for example, is an Essex, one of the smaller three-bedroom ranch models built by Campanelli Brothers in Schaumburg.

The only major renovation done by the Holmbergs was to remove a partial wall that divided the family room from the dinette to accommodate a large birch plywood board Betty wanted on top of their table so the family could sit together at Sunday dinner.

Similarly, the outdoor pond was born from a typical home improvement store kit and is stocked with inexpensive Japanese carp.

"We went from $50 fish to $25 fish to finally five for $1 because we got tired of the Blue Herons eating them," Betty said.

Once the Holmbergs retired, she as a teacher in Schaumburg School District 54, and he from a position at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago, the backyard began to evolve at a quicker pace.

"It started with some pussy willows that made it and it took off from there," Marshall said.

Betty recalled having early success with hostas.

"You put them in the ground and they just grow," she said.

Betty credited neighbor Mary Mannion for encouraging her to try different plantings. She also has been a frequent visitor to Platt Hill Nursery in Bloomingdale, where she got to know one of the employees.

"We would do one portion of the garden at a time, and I would bring in sketches of the garden and Joe (the Platt Hill employee) would recommend what to put in there based on my observations," Betty said.

While they did receive advice, what now appears in the Holmberg yard is basically the result of trial and error. Some plantings survived, others did not.

"I've always liked English gardens, and when we started traveling, that's where we would go to look at them," Betty said. "But we don't have the room for that, so what I've done is tried to make it like a prairie garden."

The colorful display starts as soon as the first blooms emerge in the spring.

"She has staggered the plantings so that something is always in bloom," Marshall said.

Peonies and irises make an appearance first, followed by blue coneflowers and then black-eyed Susans. The planting are arranged so perennials emerge at the backs of the beds first and move forward as the summer progresses.

Marshall estimated the yard contains from 400 to 600 perennials. Annuals planted in about 45 containers provide accents.

The focal point is a large center patio covered by a gazebo where the family enjoys meals in the summer. A smaller patio that used to host the hot tub now serves as a breakfast nook.

The southern end of the lot is used for reading. Betty has also put a unique touch in this section by placing planters on old wooden chairs, which hang from the side of the house.

Another unique area toward the rear of the property was originally designed for the Holmbergs' granddaughter, Molly. Betty named it the Secret Garden. One enters the area through an arbor and is greeted by a stone fairy. A play area lies hidden behind a storage shed on which Betty painted butterflies and dragonflies.

Complementing the plantings is Victorian-style seating in appropriate places throughout the yard.

"After all, it's not very comfortable to just stand and look at the pond," Betty said.

The garden theme extends into the house with a grapevine wallpaper border in the kitchen and dining area to evoke a Tuscan atmosphere.

There are also silk floral accents placed in strategic locations throughout the house. A collection of ducks adorns the mantel above the family room fireplace.

With such a peaceful and every-changing setting to gaze upon, the Holmbergs are reluctant to leave their home during warm weather and travel only during the fall and winter.

"We try to get as much enjoyment out of our yard as possible," Marshall said. "Other people leave to go to their summer home -- ours is right outside our back door."