Western Branch

Lisa Baker

4012 Georgia Road

In four short years since the homeowners moved in, they have done extensive work to establish a wildlife- friendly yard.  The back yard has been converted into a large expanse of bird and pollinator garden beds, vegetable beds, with a variety of native plants including bee balm, coneflowers, spiderwort, tiger-eye sumac, and yarrow, interspersed throughout. The plantings also include hydrangea, crape myrtle, iris, hosta, and many heirloom plants from her grandmother.   Lisa provides numerous bird houses, feeders, flower seed heads, and water sources to attract an array of birds, including hummingbirds, bluebirds, and gold finches.   The front yard is graced by a mature magnolia, carefully pruned to avoid power lines and allow for a shady seating area underneath.  An extension of the driveway and added walkways used moisture-pervious material to allow rainwater absorption. Stones and gravel beds are effectively used to direct water from downspouts.  Re-purposed items, decorative accents, collected shells, and personalized metal art accentuate the overall pleasing garden design.