Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest

Our 2026 Garden Walk is ONE MONTH AWAY! Our Co-Chairs, Heidi Clifton and Raquel Jackson, have been working for over a year on this event and don’t want you to miss our premier garden showcase. Bring your friends, enjoy lunch at Knollwood (optional) and come to our Afternoon Soirée. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to the link in our bio. ⬆️

The Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest is delighted to feature artwork by local artist Linda Scholly on our 2026 Garden Walk invitation. 🌿🐝

Based in Lake Forest, Linda draws inspiration from nature and the beauty of her everyday surroundings — both big and small. An active board member of the Deerpath Art League, her work has been exhibited throughout the North Shore and surrounding communities.

We are also excited to share that Linda’s original artwork, “The Art of Bees,” will be included in this year’s Garden Walk raffle!

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your talent and creativity with JGCLF and helping make Garden Walk 2026 so special.

Proud to support the Becky Bell Garden Memorial. A special shoutout to Jennifer Fiocco for coordinating these efforts! It takes a village. Thanks for bringing native gardening to these efforts. 🌿

🕊️ Members enjoyed a beautiful spring morning at Fort Sheridan for our annual Bird Walk led by Cliff Miller of P. Clifford Miller Landscape Artistry. Participants learned about migratory bird patterns, local habitats, and the importance of conservation while exploring the trails together.

With binoculars in hand and perfect spring weather, the walk was a wonderful reminder to slow down, look up, and appreciate the natural beauty surrounding us every day. 🌿

Thank you to Cliff Miller for sharing his knowledge and passion with our group!

🌿🇺🇸 Conservation in Action 🇺🇸🌿

This spring, Junior Garden Club of Lake Forest’s Conservation leadership joined fellow Garden Club of America members in Washington, D.C. for the GCA National Affairs & Legislative (NAL) Conference — an annual gathering dedicated to advocacy, conservation, environmental stewardship, and science-based policy.

Throughout the conference, members met with legislators and conservation leaders to discuss priorities including clean water, healthy ecosystems, native plant preservation, and protecting our public lands for future generations. Illinois delegates also met with Representatives and Senators to advocate for GCA conservation initiatives.

From inspiring keynote speakers to conversations on preserving habitats like the Everglades and Okefenokee Swamp, the conference highlighted the powerful role garden clubs continue to play in environmental leadership and education. 🌎🌱

We are proud to support members who help cultivate thoughtful stewardship — proving that local action can have national impact.

🌿 Member Garden of the Month 🌿

This month, we are delighted to feature a stunning spring hellebore from the garden of JGCLF member Cappy Johnston. Also known as a Lenten Rose, hellebores are beloved for their ability to bring beauty, texture, and color to the early spring garden when little else is blooming.

With antique golden tones, delicate burgundy veining, and rain-kissed petals, this bloom feels almost hand-painted — a quiet showstopper tucked into the spring garden.

A favorite for Midwest shade gardens, hellebores symbolize resilience, renewal, and the beauty of the changing seasons. 🌿

Thank you to Cappy Johnston for sharing this beautiful moment from her garden with us.

📸 Photo by Cappy Johnston

🌿 Trillium Season in Illinois 🌿

Tucked into our woodland edges, trillium quietly announce the arrival of spring. Recognizable by their signature trio—three leaves, three petals—these native wildflowers are a beautiful reminder of nature’s rhythm and restraint.

This deep maroon variety, often called prairie or red trillium, is one of several species native to Illinois forests. As spring ephemerals, they bloom briefly before the tree canopy fills in, making their appearance all the more special.

Trillium are also a sign of a healthy, undisturbed ecosystem—and a gentle reminder to admire, but never pick, as they take years to mature and flower.

A fleeting moment, worth noticing. 🌱

A celebration of spring in full bloom 🌼

We loved seeing these stunning entries at the American Daffodil Society National Show—each stem a reminder of the beauty, variety, and artistry within this beloved spring flower. From delicate whites to vibrant yellows and apricot centers, the range of form and color is truly remarkable.

Daffodils may be fleeting, but their joy is lasting. A beautiful nod to the season—and to the growers who make it shine.

Lilac season in Lake Forest 💜

In full bloom at Elawa Farm, these classic beauties remind us why spring in the Midwest is so special. Their soft hues and unmistakable fragrance mark a fleeting moment we look forward to each year.

A favorite in traditional gardens, lilacs are as timeless as they are rewarding—thriving for generations with just a bit of care and patience.

If you’re nearby, take a walk, pause for a moment, and enjoy one of the season’s most beloved blooms.