About Rachel Johansen, owner of Rachel's Gardens

Rachel Johansen

Rachel's Gardens is owned and operated by Rachel Johansen, a landscape designer based in Lake Summerset, IL.

Rachel holds a B.S. degree in Horticulture from The University of Wisconsin, and an A.A. degree in Landscape Design from McHenry County College.

After teaching school for 18 years, Rachel opened Johansen's Country Garden greenhouses in 1985 and began offering landscape design in 1988.

In 1994 Rachel sold her greenhouses to concentrate on landscape design, installation and maintenance. Her clients range from small residential to large commercial properties throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

In 2000, Rachel received the Business Woman of the Year Award from Harvard, IL.

Rachel was interviewed by
Lawn & Landscape, a professional trade magazine, for the article, "A Sense of Wonder" about Sensory Gardens for the Feb. 2003 issue.

Lawn & Landscape Magazine is the industry's #1 source for news, products for news, market analysis, and comment.

Rachel's Gardens donated design services and helped with installation for Family Counseling Services of Northern Illinois in October 2002. Plants were provided at wholesale cost with additional donations by Beaver Creek Nursery.

Rachel and Family Counseling Services volunteers prepare the beds for planting Rachel gives a talk on native prairie grasses and flowers to 4th grade students in Fall 2005.
Rachel helped design and install the Lake Summerset East Gate planting in June 2003. In May 2004, Rachel's Gardens installed new landscaping at the Lake Summerset Main Entrance and Guardhouse Entry. Lake Summerset Main Entrance click to view more photos In March 2007 Rachel gave a talk to The American Business Woman's Association meeting in Freeport, IL about "Perennials and Their Care." In May 2007 she gave a "Do It Herself" workshop on "Perennials and Outdoor Living Spaces" at Home Depot in Machesney Park,IL. On June 3, 2007 Rachel gave a presentation about Perennials at the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden Garden Fair Extravaganza in Rockford, IL. Rachel at the Sandy Hollow Golf Course in Rockford, IL In July 2007 Rachel was asked to evaluate the Sandy Hollow Golf Course in Rockford, IL as part of their process in receiving their International Audubon Society certification. Rachel lectured at the Klehm Arboretum in Rockford, IL in February 2008 on "Proper Plant Placement" as part of their Gardening Basic Series. Click here to learn more about Rachel's upcoming presentations.

Janet Shingleton	Rachel's partner Janet Shingleton is the web designer and office manager for Rachel's Gardens. She holds a B.A. degree in photojournalism from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX and enjoys taking photos of the gardens and wildlife in their home gardens. For comments or questions about the website email her at janet@rachelsgardens.com.

Need a speaker for your school, club or organization?
	Rachel is available for lectures, presentations and talks about gardening. The retired teacher in her LOVES to answer questions, giving the audience the opportunity to participate in lively, informative discussions! For booking information, call (815) 248-2510 or email contact@rachelsgardens.com