A Garden Party at Michell Thurmond's in Lake Claire, Atlanta

September 30, 2023 at 5 pm - Michell Thurmond's house in Lake Claire, Atlanta

Join Georgia Perennial members doing what we love best -- hanging out in other people's gardens.

Michell (who has no terminal "e" on her name) Thurmond invites you to her Lake Claire bungalow where she has been busy renovating her garden extensively following last winter's sudden plunge from the sixties into days of deep freeze. Now she is ready to share it with fellow Georgia Perennial members. There will be tasty beverages and snacks on offer! Plus, The Kai Garden/Eric Mack will be on hand with hard to find perennials and precious shrubs for sale.  

About Michell's garden:

I designed the patio to reflect the design elements of the front porch and the simple lawn/bed plan. Jenks Farmer sourced and installed the original plantings in 2019 and brought me many plants I did not know about and now adore! I’m still getting special plants from him!

My garden contains loads of gifts and hand me downs from friends and family, including the Japanese maples, ALL the porch and patio and garden furniture, except the two boxes. Lots of shop and sip purchases too! The rear is a  smorgasbord of formal cottage/kitchen/southern passalong/boxwood garden. In the front I am shamelessly copying Jacques Wirtz’s apple orchard garden (I’ll have his book open to the page on my dining room table) with a few modifications, but it still has a lot of growing to do it before it gets there!

Michell notes that her garden is "unfinished" and she welcomes good suggestions from everyone. (Editor's note: I have yet to meet a serious gardener who considers their garden finished!)

We'll send out more details as the time gets closer, but please mark your calendars in the meantime. This is a rain or shine event, with shelter available in case of inclement weather.

If you are interested in making a day of it, Michell is close to Candler Park, where the Candler Park Fall Fast is ongoing September 30 to October 1. Candler Park Fall Fast features music, art, food, games, rides and special attractions to a beautiful in-town park and onto the streets of the surrounding neighborhood. No entry fees are charged. Learn more at Candler Park Fall Fest.

A "before" picture!

Non-members may purchase a one day membership for this event here (credit card only) or using credit card, Venmo, Apple and Google Pay via this external link to Givebutter. Your one day admission is convertible to a full membership with this fee credited within seven days of the event via membership form on the Join or Renew page.

We recommend checking out The Kai Garden's website or Instagram prior the the event to see what might pique your interest. Maybe you'd like to get Eric to bring something in particular to Michell's!