Wilmington -- Frog Hollow Garden

This 2.25 acre suburban garden is situated on a sloping site and has been under development since the early 1980s. It is an outdoor living space reflecting the owners' passion for collecting unusual perennials and woodies and incorporating them into a series of gardens utilizing stonework, water features, and playful statuary. As of 2002 there were 1588 different species growing in the garden of which 992 were perennials, 185 trees, 271 shrubs, 32 vines, and 108 bulbs. The landscape design includes: a shady terrace with one pool surrounded by a moss garden plus another pool with goldfish and a formal fountain; a sunny terrace by a conservatory with a stand of hardy pitcher plants as well as approximately 100 non-hardy succulents in containers; a hillside rock garden including a collection of Japanese maples and dwarf conifers, two pools with frog fountains, and an artificial bog; a newly created desert garden for hardy agave, yucca and cacti; a walled knot garden along with a traditional herb garden and "dipping" pool; cozy sitting spaces; a gazebo overlooking a woodland pond with spouting frogs; and an octagonal vegetable garden. In the gardens, blooms, berries and lilypads cater to butterflies, birds and frogs. In a newly built conservatory attached to the house is a collection of tropical plants, in ground as well as in containers, and a horticultural library. Aside from heavy excavation and building of terrace areas, the design, planting, and maintenance of the garden are entirely the work of the owners.

Persons associated with the site and garden include: Holsinger (former owner, ca. 1949); Bruce (former owner, before 1978); Sodeburg (former owner, before 1978); William J. and Lesley D. Lawrence (former owners, 1978-1979); Simple (sculptor); Bill Heise (sculptor); and Mark Bullwinkle (sculptor).