Landscapes in Progress - May 17, 2025 —Apison, Collegedale

Apison Member’s Description (Garden #1)

Garth and Bianca moved to our 22-acre property in 2018, drawn in by the beauty of its mature woodlands and the potential to create a thriving habitat for native plants and wildlife. Since then, we’ve been gradually restoring the land—removing invasives, reintroducing native species, and watching with delight as the ecosystem responds in kind. Much of the property is wooded, providing a mix of shade and sun, which has given us a great canvas to work with as we experiment, learn, and adapt.

One of our biggest projects to date was the wildflower meadow we seeded last year across about an acre between the house and the pond. After nearly a full year of soil preparation (and a lot of patience), we finally got to scatter those long-dreamed-of native seeds—and now we're watching eagerly as the first waves of blooms take hold. At the pond’s edge, we’ve also focused on restoring the buffer zone, planting marsh marigolds, swamp milkweed, and a variety of native grasses and sedges to stabilize the soil, support pollinators, and enhance biodiversity. Each season brings something new—whether it's a flush of beautiful liatris, the hum of native bees, or the thrill of spotting a plant we didn’t even know had returned. This is very much a work in progress, but one filled with joy, surprise, and a lot of muddy boots.

Southern Adventist University Arboretum (Garden #2)

The second garden on the May 17 LIPS tour will be the arboretum at Southern Adventist University. This is an accredited level I arboretum on the beautiful SAU campus in Collegedale, with many native tree specimens. The trees will be in full leaf when we tour! Note that there are non-native species as well. We will be guided by Victoria Tsikayi, a student and arboretum employee. Also, tags are located beside each tree with a QR code providing information about the specific species. A self-guided tour of the Arboretum is currently being developed.

Before the tour, you may want to explore the website SAU - Arboretum - SAU including a digital map and a self-guided tour option (you must be on the campus to use this feature).