From Glorious Gardens judge Denise Corkery, senior writer at the Chicago Botanic Garden:

Why it's a winner: For me, this is a winning Glorious Garden because its Japanese theme is executed so beautifully from the main gate, which beckons you to enter, throughout the serene landscape within.

The design includes focal points (areas where the eye can rest) and an effective use of color, texture and shape. Although this garden has more than 450 varieties of hostas growing in it, the collection appears to enhance rather than dominate the design.

Lessons from this garden: For home gardeners, this garden demonstrates the freedom to fully express a creative vision that is meaningful to them.

It is a fine example of how a well-conceived, beautifully executed landscape can also be a healthy ecosystem -- in this case, providing habitat for fish, toads, dragonflies and birds.