The Satterwhite Residence: A Native Pollinator Sanctuary
The Satterwhite Residence project began when the homeowner sought to recreate the spirit of his former mountain retreat’s native pollinator garden in a more urban setting. The existing landscape was uninviting, featuring overgrown shrubs that blocked vistas, a dying dogwood, and a perennial garden that had become a "disaster zone." To breathe new life into the property, designer Georgia Parkinson-Hill of Beautyberry Gardens envisioned an easy-maintenance, cottage-style sanctuary that would support local wildlife while also welcoming the community via a central path specifically designed to encourage neighborhood trick-or-treaters.
Overcoming the site's environmental challenges required both technical expertise and creative plant sourcing. The garden faced heavy afternoon shade on its western side, dense ultisol soil with slow drainage, and persistent pressure from local rabbits. To address these issues, the team improved soil permeability with organic matter and selected a specialized palette of "wet feet" loving, rabbit-resistant species. Because the project had such niche requirements, Beautyberry Gardens grew 60% of the plant material themselves, even importing rare native cultivars from Europe to ensure the garden's success.
The final design achieves a sophisticated, "intentional" aesthetic that complements the home’s modern, silvery-gray tones without falling into the cluttered look sometimes associated with cottage gardens. By organizing plantings into large blocks and limiting the palette to specific hues of white, pink, purple, and orange, the team created a vibrant yet orderly display. A new straight-lined mini slate path replaced dated red brick, providing a clean architectural element that guides guests through a sea of color. The result is a thriving pollinator haven with blooms lasting from June through September, fulfilling the client's vision of a home that is both beautiful and ecologically functional.
before
after
Judges' comments about this project
- Beautiful, works very well with style of house.
- Including functional turf lawn shows a nice combination of traditional and pollinator friendly.
- Very nice frame-up of path with the porch, slate looks great but requires maintenance.
- Trees on either side of porch very nice. Looks terrific for summer.
About Beautyberry Gardens
Beautyberry Gardens is the premier full-service native design-build firm in the Southeast, complete with our own native plant nursery, ensuring that every design we create is not only unique but also thrives in your garden.
Our certified horticulturists have an in-depth understanding of all things plants and meticulously research your site, addressing site issues head-on, while nurturing each new garden as a cherished member our family.
At BBG, we believe that beauty comes first, blending exceptional design with ecological integrity.
