One of the first areas to be planted, this garden has changed dramatically over the years. The one important thing to remember in gardening is that if you don’t like a plant, you can move it or remove it. I have had many plants that were growing so miserably in my garden that I gave to my friends. They have grown beautifully there in their gardens, where I can visit and ooh and ahh.

	Gardens border the steps leading up from the lower terrace to the front door.		Aquilegia canadensis, a Southeastern native columbine, feeds hungry, migrating hummingbirds in the spring.
	Narcissis and Lady Fern are a magnificent combination because the emerging foliage of the fern hides the dying stems of the daffodil.		Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' is beautiful in the shade garden with tricolor leaves of purple, silver and green.
	Shade Garden 'Blues': Japanese Painted Fern, Pulmonaria 'Excalibar', Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd,' Carex morrowii 'Silk Tassel.'		Soft and billowy, 1-foot tall Carex morrowii 'Silk Tassel' is best used with blue-foliaged hostas and ferns.
	The shrub Pieris japonica 'Variagata' does not even need to be blooming to be noticed in the shade garden.		Hibiscus 'Diana' is not only beautiful, but it is sterile so that it does not set seed like the species. What a pity.
Click on any picture above to display a larger version.
Lower Terrace Patio Garden		Dry Streambed Garden