Congratulations to our October Yard of the Month: The Eversole Garden at 1142 Lawrence

Pat’s Patio Garden was designed a little over 12 years ago with the help of Linda Gay, the former longtime director of Mercer Botanic Garden, after Jerry and Pat Eversole designed and built their new home on two lots on the corner of Lawrence and 12th Street.

The semi-circular driveway includes a stone bench, where a restful moment under the Live Oak is the perfect spot to enjoy the lush variety of plantings, including Camelias, Tulip Magnolias, Dianella, Foxtail Fern, Liriope, Monkey Grass, Shrimp Plant, Yaupon Holly, Gingers, Agapanthus, Begonia, Firespike, Loosestrife, Rain Lilies, Butterfly Iris, Hosta, Brake fern, Abelia, Vinca, and other seasonal plantings.

Beyond the wrought iron fence reveals the patio garden, with an equally elaborate selection of trees, shrubs, and foliage to soften the stonework and create a calm, tranquil atmosphere. A small Maple and natural stone fountain greet the visitor on entry, with the gentle cascade of water intimately echoing and beckoning. On the West side of the house, a Magnolia, flanked by Loropetalum, a Red Bud and a small lawn create a green space overlooking the street.  The formality of the layout is contrasted with the informality of the plantings, including Boxwood, Penta, Caladium, Ligustrum, Japanese holly fern, Cordyline, Crinum lily, Bird of Paradise, Red Turk’s cap, Wandering Jew, Hamelia patens, and featured pots including a potted philodendron, potted Orange, and large potted Cherry Barbados. The overall theme of green and white is punctuated with pops of red, all of which benefit from the shadow and sunlight filtering through the canopy. The flowers and foliage convey a sense of ‘rooms’ and add harmony and contrast to the tranquil setting, dotted with birdbaths, birdhouses, and sculptures tucked into the plantings.

The entire front deck and windows of the house look out over the patio and include some additional pots with seasonal plants. With the help of Mike Lowrey, owner of Another Place in Time, and Roosevelt Walls, Jerry has been keeping the garden as true to its original design as possible since his wife, Pat, sadly passed away 4 years ago. The hard freeze in February certainly didn’t stop Pat’s Patio Garden from thriving! We would like to thank Jerry, for sharing his garden.

We would also like to thank New Roots Landscaping for this month’s Yard of the Month gift certificate.