Julie's Garden Spot: Tour Gardens in Norcross

Spring has sprung!  Blossoms are everywhere, including Historic Norcross. Join the first “Blossom” event on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The event includes plant sales, garden art, a mini farmer’s market, garden-related workshops and open houses hosted by the downtown merchants. Best of all, there will be free garden tours offered. 

There are five gardens featured on the free self-guided tour.  Directions are available at each garden and will guide visitors to other events and tours.

Norcross Garden Club House

33 College Street

Spring Garden Club Plant Sale

The Norcross Garden Club was founded in 1958.  The members of the club own their clubhouse which they were “gifted”  in 1978 by the Norcross Civic Improvement Club in the form of a quit-claim deed and one dollar.  The building originally resided on Autry St. but in the early 1900’s was moved by a pair of oxen to its current location. There is a stipulation that the clubhouse never be rented or sold.    

 The club members planted and maintain the beautiful gardens surrounding their clubhouse, which are always open to the public to enjoy.  They offer a great opportunity to see different plants at bloom during the various seasons.  Many of the plants are low maintenance natives which perform well in our hot humid climate.

 The members are also holding their annual plant sale to raise money for charity and for the maintenance of their clubhouse.  This annual plant sale is a great way to meet the members, and to purchase plants dug from their own backyards.  Each year they offer beautiful hellebores, hosta and unusual ferns among other things.  It is a great way to accumulate “passalong” plants at fabulous prices!

Seven Norcross, Nesbit Park

Thrasher and Autry Streets

This charming space is reminiscent of the old-fashioned town squares one might find in historic towns like Savannah.  Two sides are surrounded by rows of private homes built to resemble historic structures.  Each home is architecturally different from its neighbor all with beautiful front porches overlooking the park.  

 A large stone firepit surrounded by adirondack chairs provides a focal point in the center of the square.  It sits on a central axis with gravel paths radiating from it.  Low hedges of "Carissa" holly provide great structure even in the winter.  Large boxwoods punctuate the entrances to each of the paths. 

The entire park enjoys the dappled shade of century old pecan trees that stretch overhead.  Period appropriate plants such as chaste trees and magnolias further contribute to the historical feeling of the space.  Groupings of azaleas throughout the park provide color in the spring.  Masses of bald cypress, smoke tree and oakleaf hydrangea provide further interest throughout the year. 

The rocking chair front porches, the crunch of gravel beneath your feet as you stroll the park and the sound of the train whistle in the background make you feel like you have been transported back in time.

Ed and Cindy Flynn

17 North Peachtree Street

The Flynn’s charming home and garden located across from Thrasher Park is organized  into separate garden rooms.  The front yard has a large lawn with a curving walk leading up to their English Tudor-style home built in 1930.  Their cozy front porch is punctuated with beautiful glazed containers.  Window boxes on the front of their home add additional character.  Ornamental grasses, boxwoods, a mature dogwood and a Kapanese maple provide interest along the foundation.  

On the left side of their home is a secluded secret garden perfect for an al fresco breakfast.  It sits beneath a wisteria covered pergola which provides shade and is surrounded by a fence and gate stained the same color as their home which gives them privacy from the street.  

The shaded backyard perfectly complements the age of their home.  The Flynn’s included many old-fashioned plants typical of older Southern gardens.  These same plants can also be found in many of the older gardens throughout Historic Norcross.  “Passalong” plants that were shared long ago among gardening friends in old Southern towns such as spiderwort, winter honeysuckle and winter jasmine add to the garden’s historic charm.  

 The backyard is terraced with stacked stone walls and steps leading down to a “sunken” garden with a firepit as its focal point.  This was hard-packed weedy clay when they bought the house in 2002 but long-time Norcross residents have told them this used to be a clay tennis court.  The Flynn’s regraded the space, moved stone walls, limbed up trees then created a delightful space. 

Stepping stones create paths leading through the space and are interplanted with dwarf mondo grass.  The terraced gardens leading down to the path are planted with shade loving shrubs such as pieris, dwarf camellias and gardenias.  Cryptomerias line the street side of the garden providing privacy for the retreat.  A wrought iron arbor swathed in evergreen crossvine provides an entrance from the street.

Tom and Julie Foster

498 Ridgecrest Drive

 Location of the Gardens by Design spring plant sale

 The rocking chair front porch of this circa 1903 foursquare overlooks a colorful perennial border in the sunny frontyard.  In the backyard, mature trees rise up creating a cathedral effect as they provide shade for the huge variety of shade-loving plants.  Winding paths with whimsical vignettes along the way create a pleasant walk.  Edible plants such as raspberries, blueberries, a fig tree and an herb and vegetable garden have been worked into the pockets of sun.

The majority of the lush landscapes surrounding this home are recently planted.  The acre yard was a blank slate when we bought the home and renovated it four years ago.  Many of the materials used in the garden have been repurposed from the construction. 

All of the patios, walkways and the retaining wall were created using concrete from the old driveway that was removed.  The shed that is a focal point in the backyard incorporated antique doors and lumber that was removed when the home addition was added.  Many of the plants such as the hydrangeas, kerria, "Fairy" rose and three varieties of viburnum were propagated by layering plants from the gardens of friends. Most of the perennials are divisions from the Fosters’ previous home or from friends.

Gardens By Design, LLC will have locally grown annuals, perennials, edibles and heirloom tomatoes for sale at this garden.  Their designers will be on hand to help you select plants to create your own unique and colorful containers and seasonal color beds.

Lucy Maddox

333 Holcomb Bridge Rd

Parking tip: 

Christ Church Episcopal has graciously agreed to allow us to use their parking lot which is across Holcomb Bridge Road.  Please park in the spots closest to the road and use EXTREME CAUTION while crossing. 

Driving along Holcomb Bridge road on the way into Historic Norcross, if you look closely, one house catches your eye.  Among other '60s style brick ranches, this one is different. Lucy has painted her brick a warm taupe color with white shutters and trim. 

These colors tie in with the white arbors, fences and swings Lucy has placed around her yard as focal points and to provide structure.  Lucy has transformed her long narrow lot into a welcoming retreat.  The interesting bed lines draw your eye deeper into the lot as you take in the beautiful spring flowers.  Lucy is a Master Gardener and uses her training to care for her many flowers.

The real surprise is the backyard.  Toward the back of the lot there is a refreshing looking pool surrounded by lush plantings.  Lucy has created an artist’s studio in the backyard along with her potting shed.  Each of the buildings is made more interesting with custom arbors over doorways and windows.  Lucy has created charming touches throughout the garden such as her many antique containers that she uses as rain barrels.  Each has a ladle that she uses to water her plants.   She empties it quickly so mosquitoes are not an issue.

So, put on your walking shoes and get ready to tour with your neighbors. The Blossom event is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy spring while supporting local merchants!