I am planning a garden for my new home and don't want to look at a bunch of naked sticks all winter!

Also found a free magazine to subscribe to, for those in N. IL or similar zone/climate...check out www.ornamentals-edibles.com.

Thanks in advance!

Also, one thing I like to do is walk around different neighborhoods and look at landscaping. When something strikes your eye, look at it and figure out what it is you like. I don't try to duplicate other people's yards but I look at the underlying concept and store it away for when I might need it.

Consider adding lots of evergreens to your yard -- they really make a difference any time of year but especially in winter -- and trees/shrubs with interesting bark and twigs (color, contorted branches, etc.). Grasses, even when brown and dry, add interesting structure to your yard, as do some perennials.

Do a google on Illinois botanical gardens and see what you come up with.

Have fun looking and dreaming!

The indoor greenhouses and bonsai collection are both closed for renovations until July 2006. The Japanese Garden, also a favorite place in winter is open, however, it is surrounded by chainlink fence because of a huge shoreline restoration project. But the garden is still beautiful - you just have to ignore the lack of water and the ugliness of the fence and concentrate on the beauty of the landscape and trees and shrubs. All the other garden areas are open and beautiful in all seasons.

I live in the area, and love to visit the estate in winter... it's such an interesting place. The Japanese garden is closed to visitors in winter, but it's still just gorgeous from outside.

The estate is also very near the Fox River, which has lovely trails for scampering around. I love biking up there... certainly wouldn't want to try today, though, what with the single-digit temps!

Basic