Eastern Gardens

The Eastern Garden

The Eastern Garden began as a narrow strip of land along the side of our home, dominated by 80 feet of ten-foot-tall privets, large Norway maples, and a small, sinking flagstone patio.

We began transforming the east side of the property in June 2021, with one of the largest undertakings to date: removing the privet hedge. Initially, the privet hedge was managed through targeted herbicide application immediately following cutting, followed by persistent weeding.

For more than a year, the property line lay bare as I monitored for privet shoots. With a surplus of hardy privet branches on hand, I built layered, wonderfully imperfect surrounds for two of the four patio sides. Supported by 4×4” posts, the branches were woven and entangled with one another, creating a semi-private screen ideal for vines, scampering wildlife, and perching birds.

Within two years, it was time to plant. I began with whips of native dogwoods, elderberry, and American cranberry, interspersed with ostrich ferns. While several years later, I still scan for privet seedlings, the mixed hedge has already begun providing a sense of enclosure and an inviting succession of flowers and berries for wildlife. The Eastern Garden has become a welcome retreat to simply watch the garden unfold. Here, outdoor meals are enjoyed in the afternoon shade, surrounded by the comings and goings of gray catbirds, jays, squirrels, and butterflies.