To show appreciation for the 20,000+ dedicated homeowners who have joined as members of CBA in 20 years, we are posting one blog each month in 2020 listing 20 things of interest to bungalow and vintage home owners. #Bungalow2020!
It's officially summer in Chicago, and gardens are in bloom! Across the city, Chicago bungalow owners are demonstrating their love for nature by beautifying their blocks with inspiring home gardens. Below, we've gathered just 20 of these gardens, which have recently received awards and recognition from the Chicago Bungalow Association.
Speaking of awards, it's Bungalow Garden Contest season! For the fourth Chicago summer in a row, the contest aims to celebrate the hard work of our members, and draw attention to how gardens not only enhance a home’s architecture, but can also promote a healthy ecosystem and uplift a community. Entries are being accepted now until 12pm on July 7th. (More contest details at the end!)
Flip through photo galleries below of 20 inspiring Chicago bungalow gardens, in order of most recently recognized:
1. Tommie Harris' Backyard
Recognition: 2019 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Landscape Design
2. Yvonne Perkins' Greenhouse
Recognition: 2019 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Green Project
3. Andrew & Lindsay McKone's Front Yard
Recognition: 2019 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Front Garden
4. Michelle Weiner's Backyard
Recognition: 2019 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Rear/Side Garden
5. Juan & Venus Rodriguez's Front Yard and Planter Boxes
Recognition: 2019 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Window/Planter Boxes, and 2018 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Front Garden
6. Nancy Jane Lauren's Front Yard
Recognition: 2019 Bungalow Garden Contest, Runner-Up in Front Garden
7. Nettie Parks' Backyard
Recognition: 2019 Bungalow Garden Contest, Runner-Up in Rear/Side Garden
8. Marybeth & Jo Dietz's Planter Boxes
Recognition: 2019 Bungalow Garden Contest, Runner-Up in Window/Planter Boxes
9. Douglas Boldt's Backyard
Recognition: 2018 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Landscape Design
10. Kimberly Diaz Hay's Backyard
Recognition: 2018 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Rear/Side Garden
11. Eileen Kilroy's Planter Boxes
Recognition: 2018 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Window/Planter Boxes
12. Troy Bryant's Planter Boxes
Recognition: 2018 Bungalow Garden Contest, Runner-Up in Window/Planter Boxes, and 2018 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Exterior Rehabilitation
13. Judy Ishii's Backyard
Recognition: 2018 Bungalow Garden Contest, Runner-Up in Rear/Side Garden
14. Jody Gross' Front Yard
Recognition: 2018 Bungalow Garden Contest, Runner-Up in Front Garden
15. Janet & Daniel McMahon's Rain Garden
Recognition: 2017 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Green Project
16. Pam Matthews' Front Yard
Recognition: 2017 Driehaus Awards, Honorable Mention in Landscape Design
17. Annie Picard's Planter Boxes
Recognition: 2017 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Window/Planter Boxes
18. Pamela Dallas' Backyard
Recognition: 2017 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Rear/Side Garden, and 2017 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Landscape Design
19. Maureen & Eamon Reilly's Front Yard
Recognition: 2017 Bungalow Garden Contest, Winner in Front Garden, and 2014 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Landscape Design
20. Brigitte Doherty's Front and Back Yard
Recognition: 2016 Driehaus Awards, Winner in Landscape Design
Each of these gardens was a labor of love, and we know yours is too. Show it off to inspire others, and for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Another great reason to enter the contest is that for every eligible* garden contest entry we receive this year, $25 will be donated to South and West Side Chicago community gardens. (Do you know a community garden that could benefit from donations? Send us an email!)
*CBA-certified Chicago bungalow members are eligible to compete. Not sure if you’re eligible? Email us your name and address, and we’ll check your membership information.
There are 3 categories to compete in: Front Garden, Rear/Side Garden, and Window/Planter Boxes.
The winner in each category will receive: a $250 cash prize, a $150 gift certificate to City Grange garden centers (Beverly and Lincoln Square locations), a free 1-hour garden consultation ($100 value) and MODGY expandable flower vase from Prairie Godmothers, a personalized garden award plaque made by Craeft LLC, and a feature on our website and social media including a garden walk-thru video.
Additionally, 5 randomly selected entrants will be given a free rain barrel donated by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
After CBA staff votes for the Top 10 gardens in each category, the public will vote online July 10-15 to decide the rest! Winners will be announced on July 27.