The work
A tired builder-grade front bed rebuilt into a layered, year-round border with structure at its bones.
The original bed was four shrubs in a straight line against red brick. We regraded for drainage away from the foundation, amended eighteen inches of compacted clay, and rebuilt the border in three layers so there is always something holding shape, something blooming, and something spilling over the edge.
The challenge
What we walked into
A tired builder-grade front bed in Augusta — four shrubs in a straight line against red brick, planted in eighteen inches of compacted clay that shed water toward the foundation.
Our approach
How we planted it
We regraded the bed to drain away from the house, amended the clay deeply, and rebuilt the border in three layers: evergreen structure at the back, long-blooming color in the middle, and a spilling edge in front.
The result
How it lives now
A year-round border with bones — something holding shape in winter, something blooming through summer, and no more water pooling against the foundation.
Built for Georgia clay
Every planting on this project was chosen for Zone 8 — the heat, humidity and heavy red clay that gardens from Grovetown to Augusta share. If your yard has the same conditions, the same palette can work for you.
