A Hidden Woodland Garden
He wanted a quiet place with lots of land. She wanted to be close to the square. But Bob and Jayne Duncan took what was seemingly a deadlock situation, and over the years, created a beautiful woodland oasis in the heart of Marietta. In '92, the Whitlock Square neighborhood was being built on what was formerly the Glover Estate. Jim Glover ( a friend and fellow realtor) had moved his grandmother's home down Whitlock Avenue and up Burnt Hickory. And in its place, the Duncans had found a place to call home. Jayne was within walking distance to the antique shops, restaurants, and cafes on the square (also where they were married. They tied the knot at our very own Stanley House.) And Bob had his peaceful woodland setting; although at the time of purchase, it was more like a peaceful thicket. But he had a vision for it, and more importantly, the work ethic to turn it into a reality. Over the years, he's cleared brush, moved tons and tons of natural stone to create retaining walls where needed along the stream, and on hills. And has planted hundreds of species, most of which are native to the area and all of which are intended to flourish in a woodland environment; ferns that enjoy the shade of the oaks, lilies that take wet feet along the flood plains of the stream. And berry producing plants that feed the many woodland birds.
Some photos of Duncan in the very beginning, when it was still a thicket.
Now in their retirement, they continue to enjoy the garden. Jayne is known to throw a party or two; most notably their annual St. Patrick's Day bash (they are proudly Irish). And because the Duncans are some of the most welcoming people you'll ever meet, neighbors get their fair share of enjoyment out of it too, as a quite place to relax, and to throw the dog's ball.
Even though it's a well established ecosystem full of native species that grow and sustain themselves, Bob still feels he has plenty of work to do. Now into his 70's, you'll still catch him hauling boulders down into the garden to reinforce a retaining wall, or border a path. And it's nothing for him to transplant a species a handful of times, until he finds a home it likes, with just the right combination of soil and moisture content, sunlight, etc. But as he jokes, "It's a lot more fun than a gym membership."
Below are some photos of the garden, taken by my good friend and talented photographer, Sarah Stover. This was earlier in the spring before everything gets really green, but even in then, there were lots of awesome plants in bloom. We're lucky to have people like the Duncans, doing all the things that make Marietta a great place to live!
A flower medallion found on the property. These were custom made by Glover Machine Works as decoration for a daughter's wedding that took place at the estate in the early 50's.
Duncan with a boxwood that, technically, belongs to George Washington. He cut a sprig while at Mt. Vernon on a field trip he had taken his history students on.