Money isn’t everything as far as gardening is concerned. In fact, the Guerry G. Slaughters of Charlotte, North Carolina, decided the money would have very little to do with limiting their gardening program.
They made this resolution when confronted by their 62’ x 185’ foot city lot—a rugged, sloping wilderness of underbrush and poison ivy that challenged their vision and determination.
Even through the impenetrable forest, the young couple saw possibilities of a terraced garden, a patio, and a pretty Cape Cod house.
They made plans of the house and sketches of the grounds and garden, keeping each phase within a limited budget, and then rolled up their sleeves and went to work!
First of all, more than 100 trees had to be taken out, but this was done with caution. Judiciously, weaker trees were removed, leaving several favorite and shapely varieties for a picturesque effect.
Stumps were not left in the ground to invite termites—usually a neglected detail in clearing off a home property.
Grading And Erosion Problems
Grading and erosion presented few problems because their plans began with a raised bed near the house where washing would have occurred.
This little bed, supported by an abundance of rocks found on the lot, was filled with bright flowers to view from a kitchen window.
Among them were the following:
- Grown tree roses
- Japanese iris
- Year-round bulbs in variety
- Pyrethrum
- Shasta daisies
- For cascading (Phlox subulata, arable, and Nepeta mussinii)
This bed merges with sweeping borders, which dart in and out of shade and sun, following the contour of the lot. These gracefully curving borders measure from 3’ to 5’ feet in diameter and are supported by a handsome brick retaining wall.
No visitor would guess that originally the beds were filled with heavy, sticky red clay soil with poor drainage qualities, which would not grow plants.
The thoughtful young homemakers had rescued topsoil and leaf mold before grading. They combined this with several loads of sand to make black loamy soil for azaleas, boxwood, camellias, fibrous-rooted and tuberous begonias, and other plants.
Several years were required in planting borders because many of the flowering and evergreen shrubs serving as a background were made from cuttings or small plants naturalized from wooded areas.
Plants Made From Cuttings
Coralbells (heuchera) and white lilies are combined in shady corners near a multitude of azaleas, each made from cuttings. Clumps of home-grown primulas and English daisies make interesting edgings for shady nooks.
In sunny portions are exotic displays of the following:
- Moss roses
- Canterbury bells
- Foxglove
- Sweet William
- Delphinium
- Other colorful flowers, with lower accents of a wallflower
- Columbine
- Pyrethrum
- Silene
- Hardy candytuft
- Pixie roses, all grown from cuttings or seed
Strict Garden Budget
The strict garden budget prevented hiring a crew of brick masons, so together, the Slaughters Garden on budget built the brick retaining wall for the borders during Mr. Slaughter’s off hours from work at a photo-engraving company.
It measures 70′ feet long and 28″ inches high and is centered by six steps, 6′ feet wide, with treads the thickness of one brick. The total cost of the wall with cement footing was only $75.00!
Flagstone Patio
Next came the flagstone patio, likewise designed and built by the energetic couple. It was laid out tinder spreading trees, serving as a focal point from wide windows in the house.
Their outdoor living room with flagstones permanently laid in concrete is 355 square feet—cost $80.00 to complete. An electric lamp post of Early American design was a gift from friends for patio illumination.
Appropriate Work Spot
Since the Slaughters grow all the flowers from seed in flats or cold frames and propagate shrubbery by cuttings, they wanted an appropriate, hidden work spot that would not interfere with the garden views from the house.
They selected a sunny, protected location at the rear of the property, which is completely screened by evergreen shrubbery and trees.
Here, three cold frames, measuring 3’ x 6’ feet, were constructed using lumber of extra thickness. Tops are made of plastic material, but these are used only in the coldest weather.
Fourteen Seed Flats Are in Constant Use
The cost of flats is negligible, for they are made from crates and boxes given to the couple by grocery stores.
Each crate is sawed into a suitable size, 4” inches deep, and usually 14” to 16” inches wide and 22” to 24” inches long, depending upon the type of box used.
In making seedboxes, bottom hoards are carefully set about 1/8-inch apart and covered with pieces of broken pots or gravel to allow for adequate drainage.
Materials For Planting
The 14 boxes require the following materials for planting with enough left over to be mixed with the soil in the cold frames:
- Four buckets of sand
- Two bags of vermiculite at $1.35 each
- Three bags of leaf mold at $3.00 each. Equal parts of each of these are used in seed boxes.
Slaughter’s Seeding Program
The Slaughter’s seeding program begins in March when lettuce and endive are sown in the cold frame.
Thinned seedlings are used in salads, and others are left to develop more fully. Seeds of Phlox drummondi, nierembergia, alyssum in variety, snapdragon, scabiosa, and calendula are also sown.
April And May Sowings
In April and May, after the plants from March sowings have been removed, seeds of annuals are sown.
Among these are the following:
- Tithonia
- Petunias
- Asters
- Dwarf Mignon dahlias
- Salvia (scarlet sage)
- Purple candytuft
- Celosia
- Verbena
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
July And August Activity
July and August buzz with activity when fall seed sowing in flats gets tinder-way! Perennials of all types are planted, with many new names appearing annually on the list.
But here are some of the favorite varieties in the Slaughter garden:
- Pansies
- Lupine
- Columbine
- Delphinium
- Rudbeckia purpurea
- Foxglove hybrids
- Cerastium tomentosum
- Iberis sempervirens
- Alyssum saxatile
- Pinks
- Sweet William
- Salvia
Cuttings Play An Important Role
Cuttings play an important role in this garden, where vigorous and fast-growing azaleas predominate in shady locations.
In July, 4-inch cuttings are made, and each is dipped in a rooting hormone powder before it is set in flats filled with equal parts of vermiculite, sand, and peat moss.
The soil is kept moist but never soggy, and watering depends on the weather. All but several tip leaves are stripped off when the cuttings are made.
In early fall, the cuttings are removed to a semi-shaded cold frame containing a generous amount of leaf mold. Moisture is applied throughout the summer months and the following fall.
The cuttings are planted in permanent beds containing an abundance of leaf mold, peat moss, and sand. The Slaughters have handsome specimens of azaleas grown in this manner.
Mrs. Slaughter’s Successful Experiment
One of the successful and interesting experiments was made when Mrs. Slaughter salvaged scales of regale lilies that fell from the bulbs during transportation.
The scales, which were planted on their sides, grew in a flat filled with vermiculite and sand for one year. Later they were planted in beds where giant blooms developed the second year.
Slaughter’s Dedication
The Slaughters’ dedication of time and effort in developing a beautification program—maximum beauty at minimum cost—has not been easy sailing all the way. But it is rewarding and satisfying to overcome so many obstacles.
Best of all, the young couple brought their enclosed garden and well-landscaped grounds into the heart of their home. What’s more—they’ve had fun doing it!
44659 by Na