The Lovejoy-Henkel Garden
Teddy Lovejoy and Tom Henkel
3 Mount Bolus Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
A Woodland Garden Sanctuary
The present owners bought the property in 1998 primarily for its gardening potential. Immediately they removed 13 trees from the heavily wooded tract, admitting the much needed sunlight. They noted a well-worn path traversing the yard and erected the elegant wood and wire fence to protect the extensive plantings from the voracious deer.
Visitors are wrapped in lush green upon entering the garden via the graciously-curving brick walkway. Mounded Japanese maple and smoke trees hold court over the fairly new front beds planted with peonies, perennial geraniums, and iris. Majestic trees shade the sweeping side garden as the deeply planted beds offer up the rich textures and colors of Spirea thunbergii ‘Ogon’, deutzia, strawberry begonia and Iris tectorum. The serene enclosure allows the utilization of lesser known plants including Halesia carolina (Carolina silverbell), Styrax japonica, Abelia grandiflora ‘Canyon Creek’ and Ceris chinenis ‘Don Egolf.’
In the shaded back garden, undulating beds meld into woods. Vines climb an arbor and an artful stone walled raised bed is planted with Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Heritage Wine’, azalea, iris and other perennials. Near the house, a stone flagged patio features a dining area and a multi-leveled terrace serves as a restful observation deck.
Caroline Siverson is the garden designer. Stuart Neale did the stone work.
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