Formal But Not Fussy

This garden is proof that elegant spaces don't always require hours of tedious maintenance.

What do you do with the garden of an old house? If the bones of the landscape are good, the answer is easy: Restore it. When Jarrett and Mary Virginia Davis finished renovating their 1920s-era home, the next step was to start on the garden, which was in disrepair. The Atlanta couple found plans and photos of the original landscape, studied them, got a few bids, and then completely changed their minds.

A Perfect Solution

The original garden was a parterre (a formal patterned design) planted in 1935 for Mary Virginia's great-aunt Sally Martin. Though the Davises loved the look, the costs and time involved in installing and maintaining such a garden were less than appealing. Still, Mary Virginia was drawn to the clean lines and classic styling. After evaluating the elements of the original garden and brainstorming with their designer, the late William Monroe, Jr., they found a solution.

Blessed With Good Bones

They kept the formal lines of the original landscape while simplifying the design. Reducing the number of beds made room for Southern magnolias, cherry laurels, and azaleas-plants that provide much-needed privacy and a backdrop for the rest of the garden.

The symmetrical beds, raised 6 inches, are retained with recycled slate and flagstone left over from the house renovation and the original garden. Beds are outlined in English boxwoods (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa'). To reduce maintenance, they are carpeted with 'Nana' dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogonjaponicus 'Nana') rather than the traditional filigree (an intricate pattern of annuals, herbs, or shrubs).

The focal point of the garden is a cherub birdbath, surrounded by vibrant annuals. Mary Virginia changes the plants twice a year, using impatiens for the warmer months and pansies from fall through early spring.

Looking Great With Little Effort

The redesigned garden is a cost-effective alternative to the original plan. It's also easy to take care of. They just trim the boxwoods every other year and periodically pull out weeds that sprout through the dwarf mondo grass and pea gravel. The stone edging does a great job of keeping the pea gravel in place, but new gravel is added every so often to prevent bare spots.

Is there anything the owners would do differently if they had it to do over again? Not one. They like the look and really love the easy maintenance. REBECCA BULL REED

THREE SMART WAYS TO SAVE

1. Boxwoods aren't as expensive as you may think, especially if you buy them small and on sale. Expect to pay less than $10 for a 1-gallon-size plant. If creating a formal design, in which continuity is key, purchase boxwoods that are all the same type.

2. Buying a lot of dwarf mondo grass can get costly. Getting it from friends and family is free.

3. Install the job yourself. If the project seems too big to do alone, call some friends. Or consider starting a gardening co-op with neighbors to help each other and beautify the neighborhood.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 2005
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