Backyard Treasures

Members of the Illinois Valley Garden Club share their favorite plants to grow in their own yards.

“I love, love, love Annabel Hydrangeas. I think it is because it is such a classic flowering shrub. The blooms are enormous and make beautiful cut blooms for a vase.” – Beverly Malooley

“In past years, I did plant a number of annuals such as impatiens and potted geraniums and vinca vines, but as the years passed, I have turned more to perennials. There are many a hosta in my yard, although I do still pot geraniums with vinca vines, and mezoo plants. I also maintain an herb garden every summer that grows chives, oregano, basil, rosemary, sage, and some years, thyme, parsley, and lavender. Herbs make an attractive display, offer lovely fragrances, and can be used for cooking.” – Vicki

Henson

“I love growing peonies. Many years ago, our club visited a local private garden that was only diverse and colorful peonies, which I instantly fell in love with. I then decided that peonies were what I wanted to focus on in my garden, and I am always on the lookout for different varieties to plant.” – Nancy Sitterly

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance way to brighten up your home or office, succulents should be at the top of your list. You’ve likely seen these adorable little plants cropping up on Pinterest or being showcased at local flower shops. Succulents have become super trendy, along with cacti, which are in the succulent family.

“I think plants, in general, have become more of a trend ever since Covid,” Nikki Tonioni, who owns The Flower Bar in Peru, said. Since people were spending so much more time at their homes during the pandemic than they typically would, they wanted to beautify their surroundings, and they had the extra time to commit to plant care.

Part of the reason people find succulents so appealing is that there are many different varieties of them – more than 1,000 – so you can choose from plenty of unique looks for your home or office. You can choose a big, traditional cactus that will make a great centerpiece in the sunroom at your home or a tiny heart-shaped hoya that is compact enough to fit on the smallest of desks.

“Everyone has a different vibe as to what they’re looking for,” Tonioni said. “We have