We are so fortunate in the Triangle area to have the weather allowing us to garden year-round and area garden designers and enthusiasts who are infectious! For those who need design guidance, we are featuring here five area women in garden design, including Edith Eddleman, Suzanne Edney, Amy Strunk, and Jan Watson. I hope their thoughts will help motivate you to make 2021 the year of gardening!

EDITH EDDLEMAN 

Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Edith Eddleman; and for those few of you in the design arena who have not heard the name, you certainly know her work. 

Quick-witted, with a keen eye for color, and a graceful, pleasant pace that makes one sit back and listen to the wisdom of her words. Edith’s talent? English-style perennial borders. I don’t doubt if Edith were a British Subject, she would have been honored the title Dame Edith Eddleman; although as humble as Edith is, this suggestion probably made her blush.

Author’s note:

The project has been stalled due to the arboretum’s closure to the public due to COVID-19. Personally, I can’t wait to see what they have been up to!

Edith and Doug are currently working on the history of the JC Raulston Arboretum, Gertrude Jekyll-style English perennial border, with Edith’s own twists to deal with area sunlight and heat. My interview with Edith was short so as not to give up too much of the history of this notable and magnificent perennial border, since a book is forthcoming. 

What sparked your calling into horticulture and design?

I was inspired by Ollie Adams, a then volunteer at Mordecai Historic Park in Raleigh to become a professional designer, sharing with me a design school I might be interested in. The school was in England, called the Clock House School of Garden Design, founded by John Brooks, located in Denmans, Fontwell, near Arundel, West Sussex, UK.

I spent a month learning from Mr. Brooks, then spent another month traveling around England studying English gardens.

As soon as came home I had my first client literally knocking on my door! Before I left for England, I planted 300 spring-blooming bulbs. My soon-to-be-client saw all the blooming bulbs and asked if I would design her garden!

Brief background of a notable project you spearheaded.

It would have to be the 18 by 300-foot English-style perennial border at the JC Raulston Arboretum. I began this volunteer project in 1981, and have worked on designing, planting, and maintaining, as time allowed, since that time. In 1985, Doug Ruhren join the project. Even though Doug is now the Gardens Manager at the JCRA, he still volunteers his time working on the perennial bed. 

Our efforts worked so well since Doug and I were able to be bold in our work because we are from a time where there were not a lot of rules.

It’s been a long time since there was a revision. The JCRA perennial has had a lot of revisions over the years, and it is now time for another. New changes will include wildlife benefits. With the awareness of the importance of pollinators, we are refining the border with more plants for pollinators; Doug is spearheading a lot of these 

What is your creative approach when evaluating a site for a new design? 

This may not sound very interesting, but I start with one perennial and build from there.

Is garden design an art form?

Yes! Like performance art, a place where different plant performers, like actors, take center stage, then step back for other plants to take the lead.

SUZANNE EDNEY

What sparked your calling into horticulture and design?

Owning my first house and property. I began decorating the yard. Will Hooker, a beloved landscape architect and professor of Landscape Design at North Carolina State University, happened to be my neighbor. He encouraged me to become a landscape designer.

Brief background of a notable project you spearheaded

The opportunity to relocate the Finley Nottingham Rose Garden arrived in 2006 at the JC Raulston Arboretum when it was expanded from eight to ten acres. To draw visitors into this newly acquired two acres at the southeast end of the arboretum, a site was chosen for the redesigning of this important and endowed rose display. It has become a prominent destination when visiting the JC Raulston Arboretum. 

Working from conception to a finished design is quite a thrilling experience.

What is your creative approach when evaluating a site for a new design? 

To look at a site from prominent entry and exit points. I always insist on going into a client’s house to see the views from all the windows. I take photographs and use those to balance the two-dimensional images. A trick I gleaned from reading Gertrude Jekyll.

Is garden design an art form? 

To me, it is the ultimate sculptural experience.

AMY STRUNK

What sparked your calling into horticulture and design?

I am extremely fortunate to have spent several years of my childhood overseas due to my father’s job. Living in the tropics had a big influence on me as we were surrounded by four seasons of lush beauty!

I remember the first winter when we had moved back to Virginia and I realized that orchids could not grow on trees year-round; what a disappointment! Rather than being sad about what couldn’t grow, I delved into what could grow and found my first job at a local garden center. Working there part-time in high school gave me the chance to learn the design and horticulture business from the ground up.

Brief background of a notable project you spearheaded.

I did the initial design for an outdoor island and built-in grill, water feature, and patio along with seasonal plantings focusing on native plants and pollinators. Over the years, it has been a joy to continue to work with the customer and watch the garden evolve, add new plants to fill in overtime, and even replace a few things that just didn’t thrive. Such is gardening!

What is your creative approach when evaluating a site for a new design? 

I start all of my projects with a site visit where we walk the property so I can get a feel for the space and learn more about the client. Most people give me a wish list of plants, materials or items they’d like in their space. My job is to listen to what they’re asking and translate that into a personalized space they love.

Is garden design an art form? 

I certainly believe so. Anytime you create something based on your own experience and are able to show it and share it is an art in my opinion. A well-designed garden engages all of your senses at once and that is an incredible feeling!

JAN WATSON

What sparked your calling into horticulture and design?

I’ve always loved being outside and I think that naturally led me to a career in horticulture and design.  It is an absolute privilege to be able to create beauty for a living.  

Please share a notable project you spearheaded.

Duke Gardens recently completed a renovation of the Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden. One of the main goals of the redesign was to create a space with four seasons of interest.  Roses, perennials, and evergreens are surrounded by an abundance of ornamental grasses, providing filler and strong vertical accents.  

What is your creative approach when evaluating a site for a new design?

For me, the creative process starts with having some practical information about the site’s present and future. Once I know my parameters, I can make design decisions that are not only functional but also excite and inspire.  

Is garden design an art form? 

It is most definitely a form of art.  And, just like other art forms, it takes heart and a lot of practice to succeed.  

HELEN YOEST, Yes, that’s me!

What sparked your calling into horticulture and design?

 As a lifelong gardener and nature lover, I was remiss in even knowing there is a degree in horticulture science. To be fair, it was during that time when sort science wasn’t a stand-alone degree. Instead, I choose to follow my heart to the environment, in general and received degrees in both environmental science and engineering. 

Please share a notable project you spearheaded.

For the City of Raleigh, I had the good fortune to design and install Halifax Park’s two entrance beds. Given free-rein, with approval from the City’s Horticulturalist, I designed the beds in a Piet Oudolf-style. Mr. Oudolf’s designs are some of my favorites, and although he doesn’t specifically plant for wildlife naturally they come.

Piet Oudolf is an influential Dutch garden designer, plant nurseryman, and author. He is a leading figure in the New Perennial movement—his designs and plant compositions using bold drifts of herbaceous perennials and grasses which are chosen at least as much for their structure as for their flower color.

What is your creative approach when evaluating a site for a new design?

I start with the wildlife benefits of a plant. In conversations with clients, I learn of what their interest is in. If they want to attract area birds, I know I need more than just supplemental feeders. They also need trees, shrubs, and flowering plants to provide seeds, brood food, and berries.

Is garden design an art form?

Indeed it is, and it goes beyond pretty flowers or flower/foliage combinations. I find the sight of an American goldfinch, Sinus trusts, eating the seeds of a brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba, just as beautiful. If not even more beautiful than the flower itself! Visitors to my garden is what gives me my greatest thrill

Winter is the perfect time to evaluate what you want from a garden, with time to read, lear, and even contact your favorite designer to build the garden of your dreams.

Until soon!

Naturally, Helen