Coble Garden (Lauren and Van Coble): “Architect Clinton Cogill, founder of the Architectural Engineering Department at VPI in 1928, designed this 1935 house for Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Sanders. Large oak trees in the front of the one-acre property, one of which was here when the house was built, provide a shield from the street. The present owners, who moved here some 60 years later, have found flower beds with clematis, liriope, peonies, and a rose bush; yews along the driveway were planted by the original owners, as well. The pool, installed in 2022, sits in a very private back yard, along with a fig tree, apple trees, and a “secret garden” area also original to the first owners.”

Kirchgessner Garden (Megan Kirchgessner): “A large maple tree in the front of the house overlooks lovely beds, while the fenced back yard assures privacy. The owner, who has been gardening here since 2020, has planted a variety of conifers and a Japanese maple; interested in native plants, she has added serviceberry, chokeberry, and witch hazel shrubs, as well. Scattered throughout the backyard garden are benches and other seating. And paths made with river rocks and paving stones add visual interest to this serene setting.”

Shawhan and Bechtel Garden (Ann Shawhan and Larry Bechtel): “Developed over 30+ years, this eclectic art-filled backyard garden features banana and fig trees, and a large oakleaf hydrangea, along with perennials such as daylilies, peonies, yarrow, iris, Hostas, and Crocasmia. Interspersed with the shrubs and perennials are spaces for vegetables like chard and kale, raspberries, blueberries, and several varieties of mint. Two colorful buildings house studio space for the owners’ painting, tile work, and sculpture; a third is a meditation/music room.  A large rock in the front yard, obtained from a local quarry, provides seating; and trees and other plantings allow for private space on the front porch.”

Sutphen and Clark Garden (Steven Sutphen and Yvonne Clark): “Located on a cul-de-sac, this home’s spacious front and back lawns are sometimes used for yard games.  Established perennials – coneflowers, roses, day lilies, butterfly bushes, hellebores, and others – are profuse in beds lining the walkway to the front door. Scattered throughout the property are native hydrangea, ninebark, sweet spire, dwarf buddleia, honeysuckle, wild ginger, and native poppies, along with several varieties of azalea. In the vegetable garden, pole beans grow near blueberry bushes. The owners have been gardening here for almost 20 years, adding trees such as pagoda dogwood, redbud, and heirloom apple, and multiple species of shrubs and perennials.”

Whitlow Garden (Traci Whitlow): “Lovely stone pavers leading to a small front porch are accented by potted and in-ground annuals, while perennials like lavender, peonies, and Hostas, as well as Japanese maple and other shrubs, add further interest. The large backyard, with an inviting deck, provides additional space for both perennials and vegetables. Focal features are an antique water pump situated among day lilies and tall red sedum, a birdbath, and a newly added pergola/hammock stand. Raised garden beds contain vegetables, and a newly planted asparagus bed is nearby. At the back of the property, the owners have transplanted a huge oak leaf hydrangea, a division of the original plant remaining in the front yard. A rain barrel and compost bin sit handily near the side of the property.”

July 11 – NRVMG Plant Clinic – Pearisburg, Tractor Supply