Anderson Japanese Gardens - Part III

Here we are, back for one last look at the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois. I hope you've enjoyed our visit.

I love seeing something new, or identifying something I recognize but don't have a name for. This soft, bright green conifer was new to me. I looked in vain for a label. Does anyone know what it is? It was beautiful.

When I see Aspens, I think Colorado, one of my favorite states.

An American Cranberry bush Viburnum is past its peak. I have a baby that's about a foot tall added to the garden this summer. This native shrub and its cultivars have beautiful lacecap flowers in spring as well as nice fall color and showy, edible berries persisting throughout the fall.
There are a number of water features in the gardens including ponds, waterfalls, and this creek. The visitor guide doesn't identify the creek. Since the gardens are located on Spring Creek Road, it might be a safe guess that this is Spring Creek. It bisects the gardens east to west. There are three picturesque pedestrian bridges connecting the two sections.Speaking of waterfalls. . .

The gardens look like they'd be beautiful in all seasons, and I hope to experience each. Only about 8 miles off the interstate, half way to Mom's, it will be a frequent stop in the future.

Anderson Japanese Gardens - Part II

Last weekend my two oldest daughters and I visited Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL on our way to visit my mom and her Garden Buddy. Here are a few more shots from this lovely, tranquil spot.
The gift shop sells food for the Koi. The ducks enjoy the fish food too! There were several people feeding the fish, including some delighted young children. I was struck by how much the children I saw seemed to enjoy this garden.
Couldn't resist getting a shot of this gorgeous Maple.

There were lots of pretty, peaceful seating areas like this one throughout the gardens.

There were views like this around every corner. We didn't stay long enough to see the entire grounds, and that gives me good reason to stop here again on future trips to Mom's. The location of the gardens almost exactly 1/2 way between my house and Mom's makes it a perfect place to stop and stretch our legs with a stroll through a beautiful garden. The onsite restaurant serves delicious, authentic Asian food and makes a much nicer place to stop for lunch than the usual roadside fast food joints.

Anderson Japanese Gardens

Last weekend my two oldest daughters and I headed back up to southwestern Wisconsin for another visit with my parents. We had gorgeous weather, and the fall colors in the region were near peak.

On the way to their place we stopped in Rockford, IL to see the Anderson Japanese Gardens we'd heard so much about.

The fall colors were gorgeous.

Unfortunately there was a huge population of yellow jackets, and since the Middle One is highly sensitive to wasp stings we had to cut our visit short.

We did stay long enough for a quick tour and a delicious lunch, and long enough for us to snap some quick shots of this beautiful place.

Only a few miles out of the way from our journey to Mom's, I'm sure I'll make these beautiful gardens a frequent rest stop during future visits to Wisconsin.