Carl and Ellen Burrell moved to Isle of Hope, Georgia, six years ago, drawn by the neighborhood’s natural beauty and close-knit community. Surrounded by the scenic river, mature trees, and abundant wildlife, they dreamed of creating their own backyard oasis. With some guidance from their son’s connections at SCAD and help from a part-time landscaper, they began transforming their yard into a lush retreat. The Burrells sourced most of their plants from Florida, supplementing them with selections from local garden stores and advice from the neighborhood garden club to ensure the plants would thrive in the area’s unique climate.

Their yard now showcases a mix of native and carefully chosen plants. Among their favorites are resilient Sago palms and a banana tree they brought from their property on Tybee Island, which have added a tropical touch. Despite a damaging frost that killed a few plants, most of their greenery recovered, demonstrating the Burrells' commitment to maintaining their little paradise. Currently, their primary focus is the front yard, while the backyard remains a work in progress, awaiting seasonal touches and the completion of a fish pond.

One of the couple’s biggest challenges has been dealing with the local deer population, known for their voracious appetite for garden plants. Through trial and error, they’ve learned which plants the deer tend to avoid and rely on homemade and commercial pest sprays to protect their garden. Although they sometimes wish they’d handled more of the landscaping themselves, Carl and Ellen now embrace the work, managing colors by season and dedicating time to shaping their garden into a place of enduring beauty.