thanks for the info, I have met Tara a couple of times. I was actually supposed to have my deck featured on her show but they canceled her series in the middle of the project, oh well, there went my 15 mtes of fame. I met her again at last year's Garden & Patio Show and bought her book "Beautiful by Design" which features many pictures of her yard so I would love to see it. she talks a lot about making the yard beautiful year round so it will be interesting to see it in February. I will definitely attempt to make it.

Thanks for the info, I live in Stone Mountain and will definitely try to attend.

I'd love to go, but that's DH's birthday, and then the next Saturday is the episcopal Ministry Fair and I'll be there with the first of the plants from Holy Comforter (and I'll be there selling the Rita's Gold fern if you want first crack at this gorgeous beauty!!!!)

GGG

There is an interesting "view" of Tara on my ebsite. Notice the book she's holding.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tara - In month of November

What a great idea it is to have a calendar! Thank you Eddie_1 for the link.

Natalie, I want to thank you for posting this. I made a note of it and kept sending myself reminders because I didn't want to miss it. It really is beautiful in winter, kathy. It is not like some intimidating huge expensive "picture-perfect" endeavor - on the contrary it has the look and feel of a labor of love and care, and feels like Tara works the yard herself.

It's seems to be a mostly shade garden, and mostly shrubs. Many and varied types of camellias, mahonia, rhododendron, daphnes, abelia, hydrangeas, plum yew, chamaecyparis, several cedars (not sure what kind), and viburnum tinus. As you wound your way from the front to the back along the path were many well-placed and thus readily admired hellebores. In the front there appeared to be much more sun, and there was a deep shrub border of berberis (I think) and other similar small-leaved plants in front, a thorny rose (souvenir de la malmaison?), some cultivar of rosemary that makes a well-shaped big shrub with beautifully colored blooms. And next to one of the rosemarys, are several lavenders in a row-what a feat. There's a big, gorgeous focal-point crepe myrtle in the back yard, and so many, many seating areas in a small yard - unforced, just perfect.

No grass anywhere, just stone paths surrounded by pine straw or gravel. A couple of ponds. An arbored walk with what seems like lonicera (also all up a wall making it look like an English cottage!) All in all very evergreen without the ratty look evergreens often can be like by this time of the year.

Thanks Tara -- it was quite fun. I went away very inspired.
:)
Rose

You are very welcome Rose!
I was very impressed with Tara's garden as well. Such a small patch of land, and such huge transformation and ability to use every inch wisely and with good taste. It truly looks like a labor of love. She said she has been there for 20 years, and it took her so long to get it right. Wow!
I wonder what kind of rosemary she has planted there: it is so different from what I have in my garden. It is very green, upright (mine is a crolling type), and blooms in a very beautiful lavender/blue. Very fragrant, too.
Rose, do you recall seeing a very curvy tree on a side of her home next to a prinkly one? Do you know what it's called? The trunk and every branch look like hair after a perm. I thought it was a great conversation piece.
BTW, her garden was picked by the Southern Living magazine for the great presentation of bones in a winter garden. They will be shooting it next week.

I believe that contorted tree was Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (corylus avellana) and across the path from it I think was one of those bitter thorny orange shrubs mentioned in many books. Must be a bear to constantly prune since it's right next to the path!

I will look out for the Southern Living issue. If it's a winter issue maybe it won't come out until next year, though.

Take care,
Rose