Garden designer Cassandre McGowan is looking forward to reopening her 3.5-acre property to the public during the Madison in May Spring Tour of Homes and Gardens.
The May 5-7 tour of 19th- and 20th-century homes and private gardens celebrates the history and architecture in Madison, about an hour east of Atlanta.
McGowan and her husband, Kevin, have made several changes, such as expanding the kitchen, in their late 19th-century home, which was featured several years ago on the Madison tour. They also have added a Japanese stroll garden to the Vine Street property. Large stepping stones wind through the garden, which has ginkgo trees and various shrubs and roses.
“I’m excited for people to come see the changes I’ve made,” she said.
McGowan shared how she has transformed her garden and tips for making the most of a spring garden tour.
Grow your plant knowledge
Some garden owners, such as McGowan, hope to educate visitors on certain plants and best growing environments. McGowan, for example, plans to have plants numbered around the garden. Guests will receive a piece of paper with each number and a description of the plant, why she chose it and how it grows in the South.
McGowan, who previously lived in Pennsylvania, wants to share her knowledge on the differences in gardening in the South compared to the North.
“There are a lot of plants here that I couldn’t have in the North, such as key olive trees, and shrubs,” she said. “Some plants that would be annuals in Pennsylvania are perennials here.”
McGowan said she prefers colorful cultivars, such as the distylium, a low-maintenance shrub. She planted the bright green shrubs in the shape of an arc in her garden in 2015, and they already have quadrupled in size. McGowan then introduced various roses — pink and white roses, two thornless rose bushes and “Alister Stella Gray” climbing roses — that have intertwined themselves throughout the shrubs. She tied it all together with the addition of anise shrubs, which bloom orange flowers.
Discover artful design
McGowan, who owns Garden on Vine (a design business named after her own garden’s location), has brought in a collection of sculptures from friends and family into her garden. For example, a rare Lotus-Eater, one of 32 life-size meditating figures created by Atlanta sculptor Richard Sudden is in the Japanese stroll garden.
McGowan has structured her garden to be active during all seasons. Even when there are no leaves on the trees during the winter and fall, she said the branches give the garden structure.
“I think that people will really enjoy themselves here,” she said.
If You Go
2016 Madison in May Spring Tour of Homes and Gardens
When: May 5-7
Cost: $30 single day, $40 multiple days (after April 27)
Info: 706-342-4743, mmcc-arts.org/spring-tour-of-homes
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