Garden Photo of the Day

Eve's garden in Tennessee

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

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2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!
Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE! Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Courtesy of Eve J.

2 WAYS TO ENLARGE!
Click directly on the photo to enlarge in a pop-up, or click HERE to see this image, larger, in a new browser window.

Photo: Courtesy of Eve J.

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Today's photos are from Eve J. in Tennessee. Eve says, "I live in Norris, Tennessee, a very small historic town which was built as the first actual planned community in the 1930s to house workers who were building TVA's Norris Dam.  The town was designed with quaint cottages, walking trails and common green areas for recreation.  My home is one the original Norris homes made with hand split white oak shingles on a sloped yard. It was once called the "hillside house".  Because it is surrounded by many large oak trees, it is truly a shade garden with a combination of shade tolerant annuals, native plants, and ferns.  Living in the woods, it has been a challenge to find plants and barriers to keep the large herd of deer that live in the woodlands behind my house from eating everything.  The hardscape features dry-stacked fieldstone retaining walls, flag stonepatios, and a water feature to give the feel of an Appalachian stream. My summer flower beds are a mixture of many different colors and textures, and I have found that houseplants are easily incorporated into annual beds for a unique look.  My first love is ferns--I have an extensive collection throughout the garden. Except for the raised flower beds by the house, my goal is to have a maintenance free yard with native shrubs, perennials, ferns, and hostas. I am truly addicted to plants and gardening and have never passed a plant I did not want to buy and grow." Love it, Eve. **We'll be featuring some of Eve's containers tomorrow. Don't miss it--they're cool!

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Eve's garden in Tennessee, Day 2: Containers

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Comments (24)

BombasticTurtle writes: I know what you mean by trying to achieve a low maintenance garden! What is the point in putting together shrubs and perennials if you cannot sit back and watch them grow and play in the wind? Well done and good luck! I hope you, as a gardener who is always the move) will find the time to sit back and enjoy life as it happens around you! Posted: 1:46 pm on March 11th

NorrisLiving writes: I too live in Norris,TN. Love, Love, Love your gardens. I would love to get together with you this summer. I would love my flowerbeds to look like yours. Posted: 11:47 am on February 13th

boards writes: I'm GREEN with envy. How old is this garden?
Re. Deer. Have you tried a single strand of electric fence about knee high? It worked for us on 2 acres. The theory is that the fawns can't get by it so the does don't go alone. We learned this from a commercial day lily grower on the South Carolina coast (big deer population). The correct height is important. The fence posts are simple plastic. Easy to install.
Gloria Posted: 10:47 pm on February 7th

maryscott writes: Your garden is fabulous! My daughter also lives in Norris and loves loves gardening.She and her husband have recently renovated an old(1958)ranch style house and are slowly getting the yard and gardens cleaned up.Her husband is a landscaper and has a wonderful plan.Seeing your beautiful pictures are very inspiring to this young couple as they start out with their new home.Looking forward to tommorrow! Posted: 8:58 pm on February 7th

tractor1 writes:

My property doesn't lend itself to dealing with deer with repellants (I've tried), my property is too large (16 acres) to go from area to area on a regular basis so I use fencing until planted trees and shrubs attain enough growth to where the deer can't reach the lower branches. I tend to use a small tractor to travel about but thazt doesn't work in winter and when the ground is muddy in spring and fall... and winter is when deer diet changes from lawn to trees. I learned not to risk plants thinking that the deer won't eat them because they haven't for a season, next season they will. I have all my foundation plantings around my house neatly fenced with turkey wire nearly five feet high. When I first planted over a hundred shrubs I woke the next morning to find them all munched to nubs... I put up the fence and replanted. At first I thought the fence would be unattractive but since my house is set back from the road nearly 200' the fence becomes invisible, especially since the plants have grown and the galvanized turkey wire is no longer shiny. My vegetable garden (50' X 50') is also fenced with turkey wire six feet high. I either plant trees that are fairly well grown or kinds the deer won't eat (spruce). I've discovered many flowering annuals that deer won't eat, most are toxic (foxglove flowers beautifully). Most of my property is in native plants, the deer and other critters are free to browse whatever they like. I feed the deer and other critters too, the animals are why I live here.

Posted: 8:03 pm on February 7th

EveJ writes: I use 3 approaches
1. Plant things they don't eat. Such as salvia, pentas, all ferns. If you mix the plants they don t eat with a few they do- they may not eat the others like impatiens
2. I use a spray called Deer Stopper. It works great and I only resray about once a month. I use a small hand held pump up sprayer at a rate of 4 oz of concentrate to 36oz of water.
WebSite to order: http://www.messinawildlife.com/
3. I use deer netting (Home Depot or Lowes). A roll for about $20. I use garden stakes with a curl at the top. I make a"box" over what I want protected and hook the netting over the stakes. I use this method on hostas with 4 stakes and the netting pulled taut over the top of the plant. The netting should hang to the ground. It almost doesn't show. If you just lay the netting over the plant but not supported with the stakes the deer will just remove it. Also the plant grows through it and looks messy with the deer eating the parts not covered.
I hope this helps! Posted: 3:38 pm on February 7th

paiya writes: What a breathtaking "walk" through your garden - it started my day in a perfect way. As others have commented, the terracing, paths and patio are in such harmony with the trees and plants! Thank you for sharing your garden with us. Posted: 2:56 pm on February 7th

acjacobus writes: What a beautiful garden and setting. I can only echo all the previous comments. But please share with us how you deal with the deer. We have a horrible deer situation in NC and I need all the help I can get!!! Posted: 1:01 pm on February 7th

GreenGrowler writes: Not to beat a dead horse, but the stonework and terracing is fabulous!! Eve, you have chosen the most perfect hardscaping for your beautiful land - it looks like it's been there forever! Your choice of vibrant, flowering plants really light up the shade. If this were my property, I would soon be fired from my job as I wouldn't be able to tear myself away! Thanks for sharing your Nirvana with us! Posted: 11:20 am on February 7th

sheilaschultz writes: Your gardens and stonework are just beautiful, Eve. I can't wait to see your containers tomorrow! Posted: 11:17 am on February 7th

soulfood writes: I am not soulfood, but missprudy; and I, too, live next to woods with HERDS of deer. I'd like to hear more about how you do battle with them, both in terms of barriers and plants. Can you enlighten us? Posted: 10:57 am on February 7th

terieLR writes: The view from your windows must stop guests dead in their tracks! Annual color choices are superb and highlight the walls beautifully. Truly a tranquil setting. Amazing!


Posted: 10:23 am on February 7th

lesaj writes: Could you please identify some of the flowering plants? thanks Posted: 10:09 am on February 7th

pattyspencer writes: Love the stonework and the colors just pop. Love the area (last photo) between the plantings - grassy area and woods. I could walk this area all day and never get tired of the views. Posted: 9:43 am on February 7th

cmccarthy816 writes: Oh I need your help! We are in North Ga- very similar garden area, lots of shade. The deer/rabbits/etc. have eaten every fern I've planted and the heat last summer seems to have killed off a vast majority of my shade plants. Help! What varieties of ferns and flowering plants have you gotten to with stand the wild life and the summer heat? Posted: 9:30 am on February 7th

Vojt writes: Amazing! Incredible stonework! I am jealous of everything except the marauding deer! Posted: 8:55 am on February 7th

tractor1 writes: That's some very well done stone terracing. The stonework looks of the period to have been done shortly after the house was built. I did some reaseach on Norris, TN and it seems that same style of stone work is prevalant with the area's historical attractions. This could well be Eve's house: http://frank.mtsu.edu/~tah/sites/norris.pdf
Thanks for sharing. Posted: 8:34 am on February 7th

meander1 writes: What a stunning garden and certainly a testimonial for how colorful and interesting a shade garden can be. The stonework is to die for. I love the inclusion of the colorful large leafed tropical plant that was repeated at least twice in one of the pictures. Everything is perfection! Posted: 8:27 am on February 7th

dukeofargy writes: Beautiful gardens. You have met the challenge of gardening on a slope with woodlands VERY well. I have a similar challenge where I live as well. I love your little stream - I was thinking of putting one in here as well, and you have verified this for me in my mind.

I look forward to seeing your containers tomorrow. I keep my tropicals in containers for easy moving inside in the fall. I'm eager to see what you put in yours.

John Posted: 8:08 am on February 7th

MarlenePP25 writes: Picture perfect. Would love to walk into this picture. Posted: 7:34 am on February 7th

saludamary writes: Lovely!
So good to experience a garden in the SouthEast Posted: 7:16 am on February 7th

duckcovegardening writes: Amazing gardens and the stonework provides exquisite detail and accent. It is a woodland garden at its best! The pictures encourage you to meander for a while, and I liked the fact that you have pictures of the whole backyard layout. Posted: 7:16 am on February 7th

davsav writes: Eve,

Your garden is beautiful!!! I have mostly shade and plenty of deer too and love all of the texture and color in your garden. Looking forward to tomorrow's pictures. Thanks for sharing! Posted: 7:12 am on February 7th

gottagarden writes: LOVE LOVE LOVE all that stonework! Gorgeous!
Posted: 5:22 am on February 7th

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