Many of us know William South as the former owner of William’s Salon but few realize the passion he has for gardening. Nestled on a beautiful hillside in Lee County, William’s garden is a gem. Although an idea or two may have come from others, don’t be mistaken. This is a garden that he created. William’s gardening skill is evident, and his many hours of tender care are obvious from the start.

A drive out to the South home lulls you a bit with acres of countryside. Upon driving up to the home, however, it is apparent that you are approaching a special garden. Beautiful stonework sets the stage for the front perennial border, which has an English garden appeal. Plantings include Goldsturm Rudbeckia, Hosta, Agapanthus and Mexican Petunias with an elegant backdrop of a Weeping Laceleaf Maple. A wide variety of colors and textures lead you down the border to plantings of Knockout Red Roses with creeping ground covers including Sedum and Lysimachia.

Upon walking toward the side and back of the home, you enter a beautiful sitting area adorned with colorful pots and urns. Once again, strategic color combinations are striking. Urns hold plantings of Croton with assorted flowers. Other pots are filled with Bouganvillea and Dipladenia, a personal favorite. Natural areas on this side of the home flourish with the likes of Azaleas, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Fatsia and variegated Daphne.

Starting to make your way around the far side of the home, you are greeted with a beautiful water feature. Water lilies fill the pond and accents of an Umbrella Palm and mixed Begonias complete the
creation.

One of the design aspects that most impresses me throughout the garden is William’s use of a wide variety of ornamentals with colorful foliage. Particularly, a wonderful assortment of conifers includes Chamaecyparis and Hemlock. Also, I am impressed with the use of unusual plants, including Goshiki Osmanthus, Variegated Creeping Gardenias and Sky Pencil Hollies.

Another noteworthy design aspect is the creative use of statues and even an old hollow wooden log set up on a rock. These are the types of touches that help to give this garden character and make it stand above the ordinary.

This is just a brief description the particulars of the garden. As a plant person I have great appreciation for the diverse yet simple beauty it displays. The accompanying photos will give you a visual tour of this lush, hillside garden on the bank of the Chattahoochee.

Matt Whiddon is president of Columbus in Color Landscape Group and is a 1996 graduate of the University of Georgia school of horticulture.

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