A southern garden in the making
Stopping to smell the flowers
Arlene Marturano marturanoa@ yahoo.com

Ron and Donna Aiken began work on their Shandon garden ten years ago. Their intent was a southern garden with yearround green to include dogwood, crepe myrtle, cast iron plant, fatsia, and loquat.

They conquered the backyard one room at a time using a mature magnolia grandiflora as one focal point and resident Formosa azalea and camellias as understory foundation plants. A bi- level deck with pergola roof covered in white and yellow Lady Banks roses overlooks a series of elegant and whimsical rooms below.

Each garden room is defined by the flooring and furnishings. Brick, ceramic stone, and earth carpet the rooms. Rather than fight the elements to grow grass, the Aikens gave away all lawn mowers and just left a small grass zone to accommodate pet needs. Gravel corridors separate rooms and lead visitors through a green mansion.

A passion for palms is realized in the variety and population of sago, fan, windmill and Palmetto.

Garden rooms are furnished in antiques and reproductions along with plants. Birds drink from China tea cups. A chandelier hanging from the magnolia is above a circular dining table. A large wood framed mirror sits behind a three- tiered fountain bedecked with candles.

Ron and Donna Aiken's three- tiered fountain provides soothing background music.

Two bejeweled Savannah girl statues like in the garden of good and evil cemetery in Georgia roam the rooms. A sitting room with Adirondack chairs and wheelbarrows filled with seasonal annuals makes a quiet getaway.

A jungle room of Confederate jasmine and ivies offers a bistro table to converse with friends. Antique wrought iron gates are covered in native vines like Dutchman's pipe. Painted window frames suspended in the air add the illusions of light and space.

A wooden privacy fence frames entire back garden. Large lattice panels are strategically placed atop the fence to control noise, light and visibility.

The tree canopy and dense shrubbery create an atmosphere differing from other areas of Columbia. Temperatures in the garden can be four to 10 degrees warmer than official airport readings. Microclimates within the garden differ markedly too. The shade of the magnolia can record a 25 degree difference from the deck.

A Savannah Bird Girl birth bath in the Aiken's garden.

The Aikens success in growing lush healthy plants is attributed to several factors. They find the correct environment for their plants and do not hesitate to relocate unhappy campers. They purchase quality stock from local sources. Aiken spreads truckloads of mushroom compost throughout the garden and applies hardwood mulch.

Adequate water is essential. Ron is the watering system. He waters with a hose by hand. In doing so he knows every square inch and is able to spot and treat problems before they get out of control. He experiments with different sprinkler settings for different plants.

The Aikens live in their yard year- round and enjoy the quiet and quaint surroundings secluded from but near to downtown Columbia. As a certified National Wildlife Habitat, the garden attracts a bevy of birds in search of food, water, and nesting sites.

Ron Aiken and his cat in the front entranceway of the garden.