The Curcio Garden
Linda and Larry Curcio
1217 Salem Lane
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Timeless Tranquility—and a Fairy Garden
This elegant Georgian-style house was built in 1990. The owners have lived and gardened here since 1995, beginning the present garden in 2007 and installing the deer fence in 2009. Mature contrasting shrubs, including magnificent Japanese maples, lead a tidy procession to the front door. A latticed portico with moon gate and jasmine covered arbor opens to a stone paved courtyard featuring built-in raised brick beds, a barbecue, fireplace and outdoor seating. Beyond it extends an expansive garden with timeless appeal and a sense of tranquility in both sun and shade.
Notable features are an arbor of climbing roses, a lacy domed gazebo of antique weathered wrought iron and two pools, one with a waterfall and a second with a small island graced by a Grecian statue. Against the back of the brick home, an enormous snowball viburnum contrasts with a climbing hydrangea. The eagle-eyed will discover a delightful “fairy garden” complete with cottage and tiny plants, tucked among hellebores at the base of a tree. Deep in the garden stands an office/garden house, a pineapple fountain and vegetable garden. The owners are planning more surprises in time for the 2014 tour.
Danielle Slavin was the landscape designer. Courtney Runberg built the deer fence.
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