CWE Backyards: The Southern Garden

When Peggy McClellan started planning  her CWE backyard 32 years ago, her husband Guy asked if she knew she was recreating her grandmother's garden in Charleston. She hadn't realized it until he said it. The entire backyard had been made into a brick patio by the previous homeowner, who moved several blocks away, and told the McClellans he took the project on as an excuse to get out of the house, which was, in his words, "full of little children."

The McClellans, who grew up in Nashville, divided the south-facing heavily-shaded yard into several small beds, (see boxwood garden above), which were influenced by another southern city—Colonial Williamsburg. When I went over to photograph the garden a good six weeks ago, Peggy apologized for not sweeping up before I dropped by. At the time, you will remember, it was so hot and dry that all most of us could do was move the sprinkler from spot to spot, so no apologies were needed.  

There are ferns and hydrangeas planted in the beds that ring the patio, and a huge potted fern against the fence, above and below.

In the fall the potted plants are brought in to the sun-room or to the basement and placed under grow lights. The McClellans have been using the same three men to bring the Australian Tree Fern, above, in for many years, and as Guy said, none of them is getting any younger.

For a while the McClellans tried to kill the moss growing on the brick, but eventually decided it was a losing battle and they now encourage it by painting the bricks with buttermilk in the Spring. Notice how the ferns grow between the bricks, adding to the southern feel.

A trio of Paolo Soleri wind chimes, the McClellans brought back from Arizona, hang over a water garden and goldfish pond situated on the east side of the garage.

The frame on the balcony off the sun-room is covered with hanging baskets filled with caladium and other shade-loving plants. A simple strand of outdoor lights is woven through the vine that climbs over the top of the structure.

On the north side of the garage, Peggy placed a trough garden (available at Bowood Farms) where a Surprise Lily pops through a bed of ferns.

More years ago than I would like to remember, I was one of several who gave the McClellans a cutting from a clivia (the dark green leaved plant in pots above), which have multiplied considerably. Just down the steps from the kitchen door is a small herb garden and a very healthy rosemary standard, which is placed in a pantry window in the winter.

The west side of the deck, above, is Guy's plant "hospital" (not pictured). He's reluctant to give up on anything green. And there's a story in Vivo too, the McClellan's 14-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, above. He replaced Barney, the Golden Retriever all the neighbors knew for one reason or another. Barney loved the garden a little too much, and is the reason the McClellans starting gardening in pots. Vivo is the only dog I know whose breeder required an interview to see if the McClellans would be good "parents." And he is also the only dog I know of whose mistress failed puppy obedience school. I think I remember this fact correctly, but if not, it makes a better story.

Thank you Peggy and Guy for letting me share your gorgeous garden with readers of this blog. I am sure they will love it as much as I have enjoyed many enjoyable visits there. It's another example of the many beautiful backyard gardens around the neighborhood.