Little Rock -- Gray Garden

Bordering the south side of the home was a 10'x100' steep, unmaintained public easement that the owner decided to turn into a perennial garden starting in the fall of 1985. With the advice of a friend and local nursery, the owner began selecting perennials that would do well in the extreme temperatures of Arkansas. A weed eliminator was applied to the easement, a sprinkler line was installed, and the planning for the garden began with a quest for variety and continuity in form and colors. Three multi-trunk crape myrtles were planted in the bed and a walnut tree was planted on the east end of the bed.

Plantings on the west end of the garden include borders of Sweet William, candytuft, and creeping phlox which hold the soil and edge of the south side of the bed. The east end of the bed is planted with Simplicity Roses, dahlias, and iris and mini roses near the walnut tree. Flowers planted around the remainder of the bed include: coneflower, pinks (dianthus), Shasta daisy, double coreopsis, gaillardia, chrysanthemums, sedum, gold aylssum, marigold, salvia, pansies, columbine, hosta, bleeding heart, hibiscus, potentilla and zinnias. All of these were planted to add multi-seasonal color.

Persons associated with the property include Don Donaldson (former owner, dates unknown).