The Private Garden of the Gapens
‘Georgia Gardening Magazine’ April 2008
Story by Shannon Pable
It was an unseasonably warm and sunny winter day when I crossed town to visit Dick and Donna Gapen’s private garden. It was a day where I found myself saying, “I love my job!” What a delightful garden and couple to visit.
Dick, retired Human Resources Director at Equifax, and Donna, Human Resources Senior Executive with Comcast, are the original owners of their ten-year old, two-story brick home in Dunwoody, Georgia. It was amazing to hear their stories of their various trials and tribulations to form their garden into what it is today. As Dick says, “It’s still a work in progress.” Being a gardener, I completely understand the ever-evolving, growing dynamics of a garden. Yet, looking at their beautiful masterpiece, one would not know there is more work to be accomplished.
The Gapens had been tackling their landscape piece by piece - first the front, then the immediate sides. Being very resourceful and liking to putter, the Gapens successfully completed many of their garden projects themselves. But when it came to the backyard, there were so many challenges. Located at the bottom of a cul-de-sac, their property sloped down steeply in the back, resulting in unusable space. Moreover, with any yard that slopes down from the street, come run-off issues. The back slope was also wooded and dotted with beautiful native dogwoods. However, the dogwoods were declining and some of those pines were too close, so a thinning of their woods was also needed.
Dick and Donna agreed the backyard landscape required the work of a landscape professional. The Gapens hired award-winning landscape group, Unique Environmental Landscapes of Mableton, Georgia, to design and install the garden. http://www.unique-environmental.com/
Having lived in Surry, a county in southeast England, Donna loved the feel of an English garden. She also liked the look of a Charleston garden. Both she and Dick wanted the landscape to be informal and to lend itself to their naturally wooded backyard and the informal curved bed lines that existed in front.
The Gapens worked with Todd Guilmette, President of Unique Environmental Landscapes, communicating their thoughts, tastes and needs. Todd then integrated his imaginative ideas and 20-plus years of experience with the Gapen’s ideas. The result is this intimate garden design.
Todd’s design would include a 5-foot-high retaining wall to extend the usable garden space – a plan to take care of the run-off from the driveway and house, and to provide garden features, meandering paths, sitting areas and low-maintenance plants. This new plan would encompass about half their backyard, approximately 2,5500+square feet, what I consider a small to medium-size garden. The other half of their backyard includes an existing deck and some meandering paths.
The job started in April and was completed in mid June of 2007. The Gapens enjoyed their experience with Unique Environmental Landscapes.
The first phase of the job was the removal of two large pines (too close to the house and the Dogwoods) and other smaller trees that impeded construction of the retaining wall. The lovely Dogwoods were saved and are regaining their health today.
Then grading for the retaining wall was completed, soil was added – not just fill dirt, but quality topsoil. This difference is critical, especially, in a drought! Bed lines and pathways were marked; electrical and plumbing for water features were located. Also note the flexible border that separates the pea gravel of the path from the mulch of the planting beds. Meanwhile, the stone columns and stone entry steps were being constructed.
Then the water features were placed, and finally the plants were set. Donna was able to transplant some existing boxwoods and espaliered Belgium pears she had in another location of the garden. These plants were a perfect fit in this informal English garden. Her favorite plants in the new design are the boxwoods (including the dwarfs), the pittosporum, and the prostrate loropetalum ‘Bill Wallace.’ Dick’s favorite is the pin oak (Quercus palustris.)
Having a talent for woodworking, Dick added a few garden accents that Donna had envisioned. My favorite is the whimsical blue-washed door (featured on the cover of Atlanta Home Improvement magazine, October 2008) on the fence that Dick built according to Donna’s design. He also built the wooden arbor that accents the entrance to the sitting area. This garden has wonderful structure with its architectural embellishments, pathways, evergreens; which was evident in my winter visit. For a small garden, it wisely utilizes the space and appears larger from its multiple ‘garden rooms’ and with details to romance you around every corner.
The Gapen’s garden blends and balances formal with informal, whimsy with sophistication. It is a little gem tucked away in Dunwoody. Next year, the Gapens plan to extend their back deck living space. I can’t wait to see it!
| Address: 7021 Mableton Parkway Mableton, GA 30126 |
Phone: P 404-691.9310 F 770.745.3337 |
Email: info [ at ] unique-environmental.com |