Native Plants Line the Path to Sustainability

If you are a reader of the Art of Stone Gardening blog posts, you know that we frequently discuss the importance and significance of native plants in landscapes. When you plant natives, you help rebuild habitat, strengthen the web of life and fight climate change. In this piece, reprinted with permission by Homegrown National Park®, […]
Gushing with Joy

A few months ago I wrote a blog on the combined use of metal and stonework in the garden and how they make a wonderful duet together. In it, I highlighted a water feature we installed at a client’s home in Dahlonega, complete with stone steps, a cascading stream, and beautiful custom black iron railing. […]
Masters of the Gardenverse

Previously on Art of Stone Gardening… If you’ve been keeping up, you may have heard me talk about the UGA Extension Service and some of my bigger-than-life friends like Terrie Thamer who boast the coveted title of Master Gardener. Now I’m here you to tell you all about MGEVs (Master Gardener Extension Volunteers) and the […]
Purple Petal Power!

Earlier this year I did a blog on pink flowers, my recommendations for pink garden showstoppers, and the color psychology of pink itself. Now it’s time for pink to step aside and make way for her sister purple! Purple petal power is real and I’m here to spread the word. Purple flowers are always a […]
UGA Extension: We exist to serve you!

Ray Parker, Jr.’s lyrics* to the movie Ghostbusters say it all about the University of Georgia Extension service: If there’s somethin’ strange in the neighborhood (invasive wildlife) Who ya gonna call? UGA Extension! There’s somethin’ weird and it don’t look good (improper pesticide usage) Who ya gonna call? UGA Extension! UGA Extension is this amazing service […]
Homegrown National Park

At Art of Stone Gardening, we are passionate about building gardens that check all the boxes: Beautiful Healthy Sustainable And while all 3 of those boxes are important, the third one can be the trickiest. How does one make a sustainable garden? What does it even mean to be sustainable? How does that benefit me? […]
Sautee Nacoochee’s Native Peace Garden

Sautee Nacoochee Center’s Native Peace Garden – A Unique and Hidden Treasure At Art of Stone Gardening, one of our interests and specialties is native gardens. The use of native plants in any landscape is a major bonus because native plants support local fauna (insects, birds, other critters, etc.), bring resilience against pests, and have […]
Dig a Hole, Plant a Tree

Dig a hole, plant a tree. It’s that easy, right? Unfortunately, no. As a Certified Arborist, I get asked all the time about what trees I recommend, where to plant them, and how to care for them. There’s a lot to consider when planting a tree and it can be overwhelming to say the least. […]
The Path from Lawn to Wonderland

We have lately taken on two clients, one in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County and one in Sautee, White County, who want to make the leap from lawn to something else. That’s a big order for us, as these are the first clients who have asked for such. For Art of Stone Gardening, grass in the form […]
Re-imagining the Back 40

Who doesn’t love the idea of a veggie garden? Even if there’s a grocery store 10 minutes away, you still get a thrilling sense of self-sufficiency from growing and eating your own food. Plus, you know its history, what’s been applied to it—if anything, how fresh it is. Fortunately, you don’t need a plow or […]