Just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, the 2025 Southern Living Idea House landscape honors the spirit of the South, with its deep connection to the land and a gracious sense of hospitality. Set on a serene five-acre property and thoughtfully designed by Waterstreet Studio, the landscape embraces the idea of a modern homestead.
Throughout the property, Southern Living Plant Collection selections are seamlessly woven into the design. These plants bring beauty and purpose to every corner, welcoming visitors with warmth, color, and timeless Southern style.
At the front entry, a layered planting design sets the tone for the home: simple, elegant, and built to evolve through the year. A mix of flowering shrubs, evergreens, and perennials creates a welcoming foundation with strong curb appeal.
White Wedding® Hydrangea and Sweet Starlight™ Hydrangea are a standout feature, wrapping the porch from summer through fall. Classic layers of Babylon Beauty™ Boxwoods and mophead Annabelle Hydrangeas define the front edge of the porch while double rows of abundant Panicle Hydrangeas bound each side. Lower plantings include Autumn Bride Heuchera and Japanese Windflower, which bloom in late summer and early fall. Together, they bring texture and softness, with airy white flowers that rise gently above the foliage.
To complement the in-ground planting, Diamond Spire® Gardenias in containers are placed along the porch, offering upright evergreen form and fragrant white blooms. Their narrow habit and clean lines add a refined, polished touch to the entry while maintaining year-round interest.
At the outer corners, pairs of native Serviceberry trees bring seasonal interest. They flower in spring, produce edible berries in summer, and turn vibrant in fall, adding structure and year-round appeal to the landscape.
