Published in Montgomery Living Magazine
Author – Efika Rowe
Driving down the winding entrance to Grove Park, you are impressed by the green of elm trees lining the road, creating a soft barrier between the quiet neighborhood and the hustle of the city.
With miles of open pasture as a blank canvas, land~ De designer Charlotte Goodwyn, along with her husband George, has transformed Grove Park into a welcoming community, From staking lots to hand-picking oak trees, an enormous amount of planning and detail is apparent in every inch of the development.
“I look at landscaping much like decorating one big house, You want different rooms and areas to evoke a common mood or feeling,” says Goodwyn, Creating that long line of trees in the entrance masks the fence separating the property from neighboring land white constructing an environment that allows you to relax. Dapples of magnolia trees add a bit of “Southern charm,” says Goodwyn, hut also signal a change in environment as you approach the security gate. Seasonal flowering plants provide detail at the main gate, requiring observers to slow and pay more attention.
After three full growing seasons, the long-term plans are starting to evolve. A seasoned gardener knows the soil and what works. I picked the most individual evergreen oaks that through the years will spread horizontally over the main streets.” Watching areas grow and develop is rewarding for any gardener, no matter how grand the scale.
One of Goodwyn’s favorite areas is Ash Grove Court, its name inspired by the collection of urbanite ash trees, This species is cultivated to have fewer seed pods than standard ash, making their presence more enjoyable.
The 80 acre linear pond is a definite future gathering spot with its water-loving and pond-edge plants including Louisiana Iris and horsetails, An already popular walking trail surrounds the area and the clubhlouse, under construction now, will overlook a croquet field and park areas for fishing or a quiet afternoon chat in the arbor.
The individual homes of Grove Park are land~caped on a more intimate level, Lots are designed so that south walls are window walls, Jetting in lots of light, and north walls are blank, leaving residents with more privacy and a space in which to develop small container gardens or integrate some of their Southern favorites into the existing scenery, Space between houses doesn’t emphasize a property line. Amoeba shaped hedges, along with other planting, divide the space without changing solid barriers. providing an openness and ease for lawn maintenance to manicure space as a whole, not one lawn at a time.
The delicate balance Goodwyn has created with small sitting spaces outlined with fragrant English roses against green tree-lined roads shows that long-time Montgomery gardeners get to know their soil, And years of getting your hands in the dirt docs pay off in the end. whether it is in your own container garden or, like Goodwyn, getting to do every day what has been a life-long enjoyment.
