Just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, the 2025 Southern Living Idea House landscape celebrates the heart of Southern living, deeply connected to the land and shaped by a spirit of hospitality.
Set on a serene five-acre property and thoughtfully designed by Waterstreet Studio, the landscape reimagines the modern homestead. Along the western side of the home, the landscape transitions into a cooler, more shaded environment, offering the perfect setting for a tranquil planting of shade-loving varieties from the Southern Living Plant Collection.
Here, a thoughtful mix of Camellias, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Plum Yew, and two varieties of Foamy Bells (Heucherella) creates a rich tapestry of foliage and form. Each plant adds its own dimension, whether through broad leaves, delicate texture, or evergreen structure, while together they bring unity and softness to the home’s woodland edge.
This understated composition is designed for long-term beauty with minimal upkeep, proving that even in the shade, a foundation garden can feel layered, inviting, and full of life.
