Common Ground: Community Garden at St. John's

06/01/2026

These early summer blooms of this native Bottlebrush Buckeye are something to wait for! So intricate! These shrubs can grow up to 8' tall in the right environment. Ours here at Common Ground is in a rather dry, shady spot so it has not grown appreciably but holds its own in spite of that. (Don't those blackberries look good enough to eat? Hurry down and get a couple before they are all gone.) To learn more about this native shrub, click here: https://www.southernliving.com/garden/shrubs/bottlebrush-buckeye

05/29/2026

Stokes Aster (Stokesia) is showing out in the garden now. The wide blooms attract many pollinators including this Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly (Epargyreus clarus). This native aster is low growing and absolutely low maintenance. Highly recommended for your pollinator garden. It got lots of raves from our recentgarden tour visitors. https://theplantnative.com/plant/stokes-aster/

05/29/2026

Our newest feature at Common Ground is water for smaller creatures and native sedge grasses. Sedges give interest and habitat to a garden. Read about the many kinds here. https://nativemeadowscapes.com/8-native-sedges-for-any-garden/

05/10/2026

Penstemon, commonly called beardtongue, is a delightful and beneficial add to a pollinator garden. We have several plants blooming now at the garden. Easily grown in poor soil, Penstemons are also drought tolerant. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love them. Learn more here.
https://www.almanac.com/plant/how-plant-grow-and-care-penstemon-beardtongue

04/28/2026

Common Ground caretakers are thrilled to be a part of this year's Spring Garden Tour, Sunday, May 17, 1-5 pm. Grab your map at the church and then walk out toward 4th Avenue SE to see what's growing on. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CLSWnPg7a/

Mark your calendars for the Historic Decatur Association Garden Tour returning Sunday, May 17, 2026 from 1–5pm, and the best part? It’s FREE!

Wander through the charming streets of Decatur and step inside a beautiful collection of private gardens, each one filled with personality, creativity, and seasonal color. From lush landscapes to cozy backyard escapes and porch container gardens, every stop tells its own story.

Start your afternoon at St. John’s Episcopal Church to grab your map, enjoy light refreshments, and get ready for a relaxing, self-guided stroll through one of Decatur’s most treasured historic neighborhoods.

This beloved tradition is all about community - neighbors opening their gates, sharing what they’ve grown, and celebrating the beauty of where they live. 🌼

Come be inspired, support local preservation, and soak in the joy of spring! 🌸🌻🪻🌷

04/28/2026

The spiral bed is all decked out with the cheerful colors of scabiosa, catmint, and blanket flowers. Don't you know last night's rain perked them up, along with the rest of the garden.

03/31/2026

We have two of these lovelies at Common Ground blooming their hearts out, ready for the hummingbirds that are just getting to town. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a native, the flowers of which are nectar-rich. It blooms all summer into fall. Hardy and practically maintenance free. The greatest hummingbird feeder ever!

03/24/2026

The pollinators have started flying around looking for food. Common Ground is providing some. Among a few other things blooming now are butterweed, dandelions, mouse-ear coreopsis, and phlox.

03/16/2026

All sorts of things are springing up at Common Ground, never mind that we have not seen the last of the colder days of the year. Witness today's short-lived blanket of snow! Our little peach tree was the first to bloom out during those warmer days. Hope that little bee found shelter nearby for a few more days.

03/11/2026

Did you know that World Wildlife Day was March 3? Well, it got past us also, but because wildlife is so important to our ecosystem, here's a reminder. Even if you can only do one little corner for conservation, it helps. Together we can make a difference!