Avondale Estates garden: The 10-year plan

Home and Garden

Avid gardeners George and Lin Inlow purchased an Avondale Estates home nine years ago when the backyard had little more than crabgrass. Atlanta landscape architect Dottie Meyers designed the space, and the couple installed it themselves over the next few years. See photos of this garden.

George and Lin Inlow purchased this Avondale Estates home nine years ago when the backyard had little more than crabgrass. The avid gardeners called in Atlanta landscape architect Dottie Myers to design the space, which the couple installed themselves over the next few years.

George, a civil engineer, built this pergola which provides views of the addition and an arched breezeway that helps unify the house and garden.

The Inlows added this breezeway in the expansion, providing unique views of the garden from all angles.

In this dry shade garden, Myers incorporated hosta, hydrangea, Japanese ginger, a honeysuckle shrub and spurge. The plants are drought tolerant, which is good news to Lin Inlow. "I work full-time and travel a lot," she said. "I can't be a slave to a sprinkler system for my plants."

The Inlows planted this "Blushing Bride" hydrangea in honor of their daughter, Emily Inlow-Hood, who exchanged nuptials in their garden.

A sleeping porch was added to the second floor of their Avondale Estates home. From here, they can overlook the various garden rooms.

This pond was the first landscape feature the couple installed in their backyard space. Japanese maples surround the water, which is filled with goldfish.

The couple, married for 36 years, say when they're not enjoying the seating area on the stone patio, they often swing here after work and chat.

This arbor was the only garden feature in the backyard when they purchased the home.

In addition to the pergola, George Inlow built these raised vegetables beds, the privacy fence, and the swing. Lin says her husband used rounded edges on the beds to ensure she wouldn't get splinters. The couple have grown their own vegetables for much of their marriage, they say. This plot holds tomatoes, blueberries, peppers, apples, pears and more.

The couple's espaliered apples and pear trees come from River Road Farms in Decatur, Tenn.

These "Sun Gold' cherry tomatoes are among the Inlows' favorite fruits.

The couple is building this greenhouse to house their tropical plants during the winter. It's among the last projects in their garden.

A crape myrtle flanks the garden, which curves alongside a paved driveway. Loropetalum bushes and heavy climbing vines provide intimacy and privacy, while the couple enjoys their seating area for outdoor dinners and entertaining.

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George and Lin Inlow purchased this Avondale Estates home nine years ago when the backyard had little more than crabgrass. The avid gardeners called in Atlanta landscape architect Dottie Myers to design the space, which the couple installed themselves over the next few years.

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