Our White Memory Garden's Story
The white memory garden is dedicated to the memory of Fremont Township trustee and tireless volunteer Pat Stejskal. Pat’s upbeat energy and hard work was the driving force behind the township Citizen’s Emergency Response Team (CERT). She embodied community, hope, and goodness. She loved the outdoors and nature and being an active participant in it. The oar symbolizes her love of kayaking.
Surrounded by a garden full of color, an all white garden feels like a juxtaposition. The color white has different meanings in different cultures. Biblically the color is connected with purity and angelic domains. To others, white can symbolize a blank canvas, instilling hope and creativity. White can be soothing and serene. While its interpretation can be specific to each individual, our hope is that this little space in the garden can be a place for reflection and peace.
2024 University of Illinois Master Garden Project
The Master Gardener program adopted the white memory garden in 2024. They carefully chose flowers and maintained the garden with attention and care. We are so grateful for their dedication to beautifying spaces and promoting gardening.
History of White Gardens
In 1530, Indian Emperor Babur built the first garden to feature night-blooming plants, the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden), that later graced the Taj Mahal. Benjamin Poore created the first American Moon Garden in 1833 in Massachusetts, featuring white flowers, white cattle, white pigeons, and a white dog. English socialites held evening soirees in White Gardens, languidly lingering in the cool moonlight. On the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, a White Memorial Garden was planted at Kensington Palace to honor her memory.
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White flower gardens are cornucopias of sensual delight. Soft luminous moonlight sculpts delicate silhouettes of intriguingly-shaped blooms. Heavily-fragrant night-blooming flowers are enjoyed by people, insects, and bats. The melodic humming of sphinx moths, super-pollinators of night blooming flowers, electrifies the air. Adding a sitting bench, gently swaying wind chimes, or a reflecting pool or fountain to a White Garden creates the perfect abode for rest, relaxation, quiet company, or meditation. Could a White Garden be for you?
White Flower Options
The following varieties were chosen and planted by the University of Illinois Master Gardeners of Lake County for their brilliant white color.