Threadleaf coreopsis in the Krause’s yard.
This edition features a tour of the front and back yards of Sandy and Rick Krause of Lilburn. Their yard was used for a tour for the Gwinnett Master Gardeners in June.
Two bumblebees on a purple cornflower
Unlike most yards in the neighborhood and those featured in typical garden tours, the Krauses’ yard does not include expanses of turf lawn, boxwoods, and non-native, exotic plants. Instead, they use native plants to provide habitat and attract all types of wildlife. The garden provides food and shelter to wildlife, and includes flower-, nut-, seed-, and berry-producing plants for birds and other wildlife, and nectar and host plants for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.
There is composting, the use of wattles, storm-water control, and a rain garden to further manage storm-water runoff. The landscape has been certified by Atlanta Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Xerces Society, and the Georgia Native Plant Society (gold category).
Four bumblebees on Agastache, Anise Hyssop
Nearly 200 species of native plants are showcased on this 0.44-acre wooded property. Nearly all the plants are those native to the Piedmont, a large percentage of which were rescued in the immediate area. The garden contains 19 of the 21 “Plants of the Year” of the Georgia Native Plant Society. The garden hosts plants for butterflies and other beneficial insects. Winding pathways weave through the hillside garden allowing visitors an up close and personal look at the plants and plant groupings. Conservation is practiced throughout.
The Krauses live at 488 Dorsey Circle. They welcome people to stop by when they see them in the yard, or by ringing the doorbell and asking to see the yard. The best view is not from the street.
Other plants in the yard:
Red Buckeye
Bottlebrush Buckeye in the front yard.
King Ostrich fern
Solomon’s Seal
Lily of the Valley
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