Gardens

Inside A Kentucky Mountainside Garden

High in the mountains of Kentucky, a young garden designer adds his signature touch to a landscape decades in the making

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A dramatic black folly capped with a custom dovecote designed by Thomas E. Wilmes, a Lexington architect.

A dramatic black folly capped with a custom dovecote designed by Thomas E. Wilmes, a Lexington architect.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

The garden in bloom.

The garden in bloom.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

The koi pond.

The koi pond.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

Lush greenery.

Lush greenery.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

The house is built into the hillside, so there are not many flat areas on the property.

The house is built into the hillside, so there are not many flat areas on the property.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

An arbor planted with
a mix of trumpet vine
and wisteria in the
lower garden.

An arbor planted with a mix of trumpet vine and wisteria in the lower garden.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

Leon and Sandy Hollon’s rose parterre.

Leon and Sandy Hollon’s rose parterre.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

The Ramona clematis

The Ramona clematis.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

A dovecote-capped folly—complete with dove decoy.

A dovecote-capped folly—complete with dove decoy.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

Gates open onto the Italianate garden.

Gates open onto the Italianate garden.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

The potting shed, framed by Taylor junipers and views
of the Appalachians

The potting shed, framed by Taylor junipers and views of the Appalachians

Joseph Hillenmeyer.

Joseph Hillenmeyer.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas

The Jeri Louisiana iris in bloom.

The Jeri Louisiana iris in bloom.

Photo: Heather Anne Thomas