Photos: How to design a stunning spring garden

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Photos: How to design a stunning spring garden

Homeowner Angela Green laid all the brick and stone work throughout her garden and built the red arches that let vines grow upward to the sunlight for her Cobb County garden. The garden is on the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County Annual Garden Tour (cobbmastergardeners.com) on May 11. Reynolds Rogers For the AJC

Varieties of Japanese maples shade portions of this garden, helping create a harmonious area for sun-sensitive plants, as well as the many birds that enjoy the yard. Reynolds Rogers For the AJC

The backyard is filled with different flower varietals. There are hydrangeas, peonies and a whole host of other flowers that Erin and Ryan Watstein inherited from the previous owners. "We love the garden," said Erin, "but we cannot take any credit for it." Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

Fig vine-covered walls, with New Dawn roses planted in front, anchor a section in the garden. Often in the planter, home owner Jill Helmer uses dusty miller, grasses and ivy. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

A large bed of hostas grows in the garden. Homeowner Teresa Stoker said hostas are some of her favorites, because they grow well in her shady yard. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

The SunSetter awning provides shade, when needed, on the patio, which is a spot for gardening and dining. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

Several Hoya plants plunge to the ground from their hanging baskets. This particular variety adds a unique texture to the Smyrna garden's collection. Reynolds Rogers For the AJC

“My yard is blooming all year,” said Barbara English, whose back garden at her West End home contains hydrangeas, hostas, vincas and magnolias. Christopher Oquendo/AJC FILE

On her backyard storage shed, Barbara English installed a gutter garden. She planted sweet potato vine in the gutters, which hang down over the sides, camouflaging the shed so that it becomes part of the garden. “It becomes a living wall,” she said.

The backyard of Gene and Nancy Hooff’s Atlanta home is a sprawling garden oasis, with a pebbled terrace containing three picnic tables, a pool and a cabana. The couple worked with Pope Garden Design to create their backyard, removing the bamboo that had overtaken the space in stages to craft a lovely outdoor living area. Text by Shannon Dominy. Photo by Reynolds Rogers.

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Homeowner Angela Green laid all the brick and stone work throughout her garden and built the red arches that let vines grow upward to the sunlight for her Cobb County garden. The garden is on the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County Annual Garden Tour (cobbmastergardeners.com) on May 11. Reynolds Rogers For the AJC

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