Lakewinds Garden is a perennial-forward landscape built from scratch in Zone 5b, just a block from Lake Michigan.
Set against sandy soil, strong lake winds, and northern winters, this 1888 historic home landscape is designed for resilience as much as beauty. What began as largely open lawn is steadily evolving into layered borders, structured plantings, shade gardens beneath mature pines, and integrated cut flower beds — all shaped by real conditions.
This garden is anchored by mature trees, historic architecture, and a climate that demands thoughtful plant selection.
Rather than fight the environment, Lakewinds Garden is built around it — choosing wind-tolerant perennials, deep-rooted natives, structured evergreens, and layered plantings that provide four-season interest.
From early spring bulbs to summer pollinator borders, autumn texture, and winter silhouettes under snow, each space is designed with longevity in mind.
Lakewinds Garden is documented in real time.
Seed trays under grow lights in early spring give way to full summer borders, expanded beds, and continual refinement. Each year brings adjustments — strengthening structure, reshaping edges, testing plant combinations, and learning from wind and soil.
This is not a finished garden.
It is a living landscape — shaped gradually, intentionally, and season by season.