In Atlanta, Georgia, Berry spent years learning what grows in the filtered light beneath mature trees. Her garden is an ever-evolving personal retreat, shaped by patience, observation, and a love of plants. Berry says:
Our backyard preserve has been under construction ever since we moved in 35 years ago. A lot of research went into choosing shrubs and perennials to plant between oaks and pine trees in shady forests. The shrubs around the property line are now mature. Provides plenty of natural privacy. Annual visitors include bluebirds, cardinals, swallows, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, robins, and stonefinches. We enjoy lots of time on our patio and deck in the spring, summer, and fall.
Blue lacecap hydrangeas (Hydrangea Macrophylla ‘Lacecap Blue’, zones 5 to 9) are located along a path that winds through beds of rhododendrons (Ericaceae, zones 6 to 10) and a variety of perennials, with a teak bench to the right providing a relaxing spot to enjoy the tranquil view.
Toads (Tricyrtis cv., zones 4 to 9) thrive in happy spots around the trunks of crape myrtles (crape myrtle cv., zones 6 to 9). Next to it are planters with red and variegated silver inch plants (Tradescantia zebrina, zones 9 to 11) and primroses (primula variety, zones 3 to 8). In the background is the front of a bed of rhododendrons and in front of it are lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4-9).
The boundary line on this side is located along my property line. The stacked stones provide a beautiful backdrop for the yarrow (Achillea millefolium, zones 3-9) on the left, the rose bush in the center, and the hydrangeas on the right. Concrete planters in the background contain Miss Muffet Caladium (Caladium × hortulanum ‘Miss Muffet’, zones 9-12) and Dragon Wing Pink Begonia (Begonia × hybrida ‘Dragon Wing Pink’, annuals).
Also along the side border is ‘Viridis’ weeping maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Viridis’, zones 5-8) growing next to dwarf cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa, zones 4-8).
A happy bush type basil plant (Ocimum basilicum, an annual) grows in front of a bronze fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’, zones 4-9). Birds love to perch on metal grates before taking a bath.
Here poppies (Poppy family, annuals) and shrub roses complement each other.
One of many pieces in my Vietnamese pottery collection. I love the combination of coleus (Coleus scutellarioides, an annual) and grass in this container. Next to the planter are daylilies (Hemerocallis cvs., zones 3-9) that blend well with the planter.
Thank you, Berry, for sharing this thoughtful and well-loved garden with us. It’s fun to see how a space evolves over time.
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