1. Mary Emma and Dan McConaughey
Garden sponsored by Emory University and the Clifton Community Partnership
The Falls is a five-acre wooded nature preserve that includes a 120-foot cascading waterfall on Peavine Creek and the site of the historic Durand Mill and dirt dam, circa 1830. There are nature trails, a footbridge, and meditation areas. Oak, hickory, beech and at least 40 other species of trees grow here as well as more than 50 species of wildflowers.
The McConaugheys have removed invasive plants by hand, leaving a true natural Georgia forest. Resident birds include the red-shouldered hawk, pileated woodpecker, mallard ducks and many songbirds. The McConaugheys are the original owners of the stone, glass and cypress home overlooking the falls.
2. Woodlands Garden
920 Scott Blvd.
Garden sponsored by Pam Hughes, Jenny Pruitt & Associates
Woodlands is a historic seven-acre garden filled with camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias, azaleas and Japanese maples. A new feature is the Georgia Piedmont Garden with trails meandering through extensive plantings of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers native to the Piedmont Plateau. A small stream runs through the bottomland.
Look for mature hemlocks and poplars, majestic large-leaved magnolias, a grove of sourwood and several large white oaks in the woods. The new stone-and-wood screened pavilion should be finished just in time for autumn fires in the fireplace.
3. Susan Cobleigh
136 Oakland St.
Garden sponsored by Heliotrope, LLC
When Susan settled into her 1925 bungalow under massive oak trees in 2002, she imagined slowly replacing the boxwoods, mahonias and lawns with a beautiful, woodsy garden. But when her daughter asked to be married in the back yard, the practical five- year plan turned into a quick five-month landscape renovation.
A pebble path across the front yard changes to stepping stones in the wide side yard, both surrounded with many varieties of shade-loving hostas and hydrangeas. The large backyard has a cultivated area nearest the house, a flagstone patio in the middle, and a circular lawn at the back.
Beyond the lawn, a circa 1925 potting shed retains its rustic character – the original homeowner had an azalea nursery here. A large oak in the back yard has begun to swallow up an old swing set, which is now a support system for flowering vines.
Gardens 3 and 4 are around the corner from each other. Please park on either street and walk to both of them.
4. Cozart and Catherine Smith
216 Fairview Ave.
Garden sponsored by Dancing Goats Coffee Bar
A ring of the cowbells opens the tall wooden gate at the bottom of the driveway, and visitors enter a garden “museum.” Award-winning bonsai trees perch on elegant pedestals. A Japanese teahouse overlooks a rock waterfall and koi pond.
A blend of small shade gardens, gardenias, camellias, and fern beds hug the edges of this Decatur gem. Cozart has nurtured this garden, started by his late father in the 1940s, his whole life. He designed and hand-built the water garden stone by stone.
Cozart has been styling and showing bonsai since 1978. His blue ribbon and best-of-show bonsai trees are styled from Satsuki azaleas, maples, ginkgo, black pines, Kingsville boxwoods, Stewartia and even crape myrtles. Several are more than a hundred years old.
A large deck, a basketball court, and pets lying in the sun add a warm family living atmosphere to this unique environment.
5. Decatur Cemetery
Commerce Drive Entrance
A walk through this woodsy, park-like retreat is a stroll through history. Markers of early pioneer settlers are often rough, lichen-covered stones. Later Victorian-style markers tend to be ornate, with sentimental epitaphs. The oldest part of the cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery’s unique well house was built in 1881. At 58 acres, this historic cemetery is Decatur’s largest greenspace.
6. Scott Community Garden
231 Sycamore St.
Garden sponsored by Russell and Herrera, P.C.
Scott Garden is located behind and managed by the Decatur Recreation Center. Garden Club members grow vegetables and flowers of their choice, and attend monthly Garden Club meetings where food is shared and gardening ideas and problems are discussed. This oasis in the city is enjoyed by many Decatur residents – a visitor will often find children exploring the garden and adults relaxing on one of the shady benches.
7. Ryan Gainey
129 Emerson Ave.
Garden sponsored by Natalie Gregory, Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta
Ryan Gainey’s internationally known garden covers three small city lots in Decatur, but seems much larger because of the many garden rooms and passageways. Structures reach skyward along with the mature trees. Numerous water features delight the senses and the variety of plants is wondrous.
Mr. Gainey has allowed the public to enjoy and follow the progress of his garden for more than 20 years. He has applied for local landmark status to preserve the garden permanently as a public greenspace. This will protect the historic bungalow and structures on the property, and allow future visitors to continue enjoying this amazing garden.
Gardens 7 and 8 are around the corner from each other, an easy walk.
8. Dot Scully
235 Adair St.
Garden sponsored by DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau
Drive by Dot’s house almost any time of the year, and you’ll see a perfectly maintained garden overflowing with colorful blooms. Dot has spent many years digging, amending, planting and rearranging the different areas.
To the left of the driveway are many shade-tolerant plants. In the backyard you’ll see brightly colored Japanese maples, a smoke bush and fall blooming anemones. Perennial borders around the house flow to the side yard where a huge bright pink sasanqua camellia shows hundreds of buds and portends three months of flowering.
As you follow the path into the front yard, notice the coral bark Japanese maple on the right, the huge flower garden in the front, and the planted wheel barrow by the porch.
Gardens 9, 10, and 11 are very close. Park on Third Avenue and walk to all three. Be sure to notice the marble tree markers in several yards, all part of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Arboretum, established by Greg Levine of Trees Atlanta, homeowner #11.
9. Joy and Steve Provost
228 Third Ave.
Garden sponsored by Wahoo! Grill
Beautiful hardscape throughout this property creates a strong framework for the gardens. Cedar trellises and fences, rustic stone benches and stone paths were designed and built by the homeowners. The stone walls with built-in lanterns and two sets of invitingly wide steps lead up to the front lawn, which is surrounded by perennials and shrubs.
A mature Chinese fringe tree, part of the neighborhood arboretum, forms a focal point for the front yard. The shadiest area of the back garden sports a full-size Bocce court. The outdoor shower promises a cool reward to the loyal summer garden worker. Be sure to notice the low openings in the back fence – a courtesy to the curious dogs.
10. Deb Mook and John Painter
210 Third Ave.
Garden sponsored by eLIFEmagazine.net
The house on the hill wasn’t always there. Neighborhood history indicates the entire area was once a pecan plantation. Deb and John’s house stood farther back, on what is now BellSouth/AT&T property, and was moved to this lot in 1916 when the original family sold the farm and developers established an early subdivision.
When the current homeowners started gardening, they found many micro-climates to contend with. The unusual plants they have selected (Edgeworthia, Oklahoma redbud, Poncirus trifoliate/Bitter Orange, for example) show their willingness to experiment.
A sun circle patio, copper trellis and brick-edged walkways adorn the no-grass back yard, where mixed borders abound.
11. Greg Levine
209 Third Ave.
Garden sponsored by Flexcar
Greg is well known to many through Trees Atlanta, and his small lot is packed with evidence of a true plant lover. About 25 varieties of small trees grow on less than a quarter of an acre, including a butterfly magnolia, a rare pink yellowwood and numerous native azaleas.
The majority of the plants in the front yard are native. Greg put in the front walkways and back patio with help from friends, reusing old materials. The back patio is made of old cobblestones and square brick pavers, the original sidewalks of Third Avenue. Sitting areas in the back lead down to a fire pit in a circle. The cobblestone edging throughout the garden was salvaged from the debris of old streets being ripped out during construction.
12. Kris Adams and Roger Hertel
130 Madison Ave.
Garden sponsored by the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association
When Kris and Roger moved to their cottage with the inviting front porch in 2005, the front yard was full of plants, but still looked like a weed patch. Inspired by a visit to the Southeastern Flower Show, they hired a designer to help “organize” the chaos, and the results are delightful.
A stone walkway allows access into the no-grass front yard, where they “love to see each plant come into its season and bloom.” A small but charming succulent garden across the driveway is a highlight. Vines on the fences and porch rails provide beautiful blooms, fragrance and interesting seed heads through the seasons. The small back yard features apple trees, a grape arbor, a ginkgo tree, and several birdhouses, baths and feeders that attract many birds.
13. Lea Whitfield
Garden sponsored by Lacey Anklestrap
When Lea moved into her house in fall 2000, there were exactly eight poorly placed landscape plants in the yard. After moving the plants to more appropriate locations, she realized she had a lot of space to fill. Fortunately, she had help from friends, family and neighbors.
Lea’s garden now features many pass-along plants, including red cannas from a neighbor’s yard, camellias from her uncle’s north Florida garden, and Japanese maples that sprouted from her parent’s 30-year-old tree, and Yoshino cherry trees.
Also of special interest: the rare Franklinia tree in the side yard, many varieties of hosta throughout and lace cap hydrangeas in the back.
14. Oakhurst Community Garden
435 Oakview Rd.
Garden sponsored by the Decatur Arts Alliance
Come and see the latest addition to the garden – an Earthen Playhouse made of a clay, sand, and straw mixture decorated with glass bottles and other recycled materials. But that’s not all – the garden has many other interesting features for adults and children to enjoy: 27 garden plots planted and maintained by community members; a labyrinth; beehives; blooming flowers; turtles; a towering fig tree; a carnivorous bog; and chickens.
