DIY Network

Cultural Center's New Garden: Plan, Costs and Products Meet the Baker Hunt Arts and Cultural Center staff and find out the gardening challenge plan. From "Garden Sense" episode DGAR-308

Walter and the Baker Hunt Arts and Cultural Center staff

The Baker Hunt Arts and Cultural Center was in its prime in the '20s. Over time, however, its roses, hydrangeas and beautiful gardens have become just a memory. DIY's Garden Sense team is giving new life to the historic garden with the help of talented volunteers and students.

The Center originally was owned by Magarite Baker Hunt, but in the '20s she donated her home and fortune to the community. Her mission was simple--keep this property intact and have an environment to further the Arts. Today students carry on her vision and work in the Center's classrooms creating art and learning how to make their community a more beautiful place.

Now the Center's director has decided to recruit some help to restore the garden and its amazing pergola to its original beauty. Among the volunteers on this project is Master Gardener Bud Thurman.

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The volunteers have restored the original pergola to be enjoyed by students and for weddings, now DIY Garden Sense will take care of the garden and landscape.

Gardening Challenge

Before--Long shot of pergola

Before--Close-up

After--Long shot of pergola

After--Close-up

After-Seating area

Required Project Timeline

The historic garden project took a full day to complete.

Project Details

This project was a bit tricky so at the nursery so the Garden Sense team spent a lot of time working on a plan following some sensible guidelines.

First, they chose roses just like the gardeners at baker hunt wanted, but limited the number because of all the shade. It would be tempting to go overboard and fill the space with roses.

Secondly, they chose new cultivars of classic old favorites like the hydrangea. Gardens past can be honored, while still taking advantage of some wonderful new varieties that will thrive in the new garden.

The work started by digging up some existing plants and took out the turf to create our beds. The beds were extended in front about 9 feet to create a grand entrance for the grand pergola. Some screening from the street was created planting five blue muffin viburnum. These get three to five feet tall and will do a good job at blocking the traffic sounds nearby.

Hydrangeas were planted in three different parts of the landscape. One of the new varieties used was 'white dome' hydrangea. Its dome-shaped lace white flowers are a sight to see.

Three types of roses were utilized around the pergola. The America rose will climb up two of the pergola posts. Three 'mary rose' roses will be planted in the back of the pergola and six nearly wild roses will help frame the entrance along with 13 boxwoods all along the edge.

Finally, the beds were filled with more shrubs and a lot of flowers for color.

Gardening by Zip Code If you're looking to start a gardening projectbut don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.

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