Located in the quiet charm of Green Island Hills, Nora and Gardiner Garrard’s garden is a lush, layered retreat that balances beauty and structure. Originally envisioned by nationally acclaimed landscape architect Ben Page—whose four-decade career has shaped some of the South’s most iconic gardens—the design reflects a timeless approach to outdoor living, where thoughtful planning meets vibrant, natural abundance.
[Music] Today we’re at the garden of Mr. and Mrs. Gardener Gerard in beautiful Green Island Hills. Enjoy. Situated within the treeline streets of Green Island Hills, the home of Nora and Garner Gerard is a tranquil retreat where architecture and nature exist in perfect harmony. Built in November of 2008 by Johnny Cargle of Columbus, the house sits gracefully at top a gentle slope designed to embrace both its natural surrounding and its owner’s deep love for the outdoors. But the heart of this home isn’t just within its walls. It’s the garden that stretches beyond the kitchen window. A living canvas that brings daily joy to its devoted caretaker. Nora’s garden is more than a pictures scene. It’s a living testament to her care, patience, and joy in the natural world. Whether admired from the kitchen window or experienced up close with a pair of gardening gloves, it stands as a true sanctuary in every sense of the word. [Music] in the [Music] Among her favorite features are the blueberries and musketines that thrive in the warm Georgia sun. I love every part of my garden, she admits. But there’s something special about picking a sunwarm blueberry right off the bush or seeing the musketines come in late summer. It’s a joy that never gets old. [Music] But it’s Norah herself who brings the garden to life each day. Whether she’s planting new perennials or harvesting ripe fruit, she finds a deep sense of calm in the work. It’s incredibly relaxing. She says, “There’s nothing like getting your hands in the dirt. It’s grounding. It reminds me to slow down and just be present. [Music] For Nora, the garden is more than just a beautiful backdrop. It’s my happy place, she says. I can stand at my kitchen window with a cup of coffee and just feel at peace looking out at it. Every season brings something new. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] From vibrant spring blooms to the lush greens this summer, the landscape is a reflection of both thoughtful design and a personal touch. The original landscape architecture was envisioned by Ben Paige, a nationally recognized name in the field with more than four decades of experience. A Tennessee native, Paige grew up roaming the farms of his grandparents and great-grandparents, learning firsthand the rhythms of the land and developing a lifelong passion for horiculture and natural systems. That early connection to the soil is evident in the elegant flowing layout he created for the Gerard property. One that feels both cultivated and wild, structured yet free. Today, the garden flourishes under the expert guidance of Missy Upurch of Chaduchi Gardens, who provides ongoing landscape planning services and helps Norah refine her vision year after year. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] down. Down.
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