Garden Gate

A GARDEN OF STORIES

1 | Shady backyard entry As trees grow, gardens change. This area near the Lights' back door used to be in full sun. Now a pecan tree's canopy creates the perfect conditions for hostas, ferns, coral bells and other shade-loving perennials.

Knock on the front door of Jim and Rachel Light’s Ohio home and you probably won’t get an answer—they’ll be in the garden! But wander around to the back door at left and you’ll find Rachel nearby pulling weeds or swapping out her seasonal displays and Jim working on his latest construction project. This industrious couple has been gardening here for all 49 years of their marriage, and they have no plans to slow down. The 4½-acre property is where Rachel spent her childhood—that’s her at age 5 in the garden above—and she’s seen lots of changes. Her parents grew vegetables and a few flowers, but she and Jim have transformed the yard around the home into a shady oasis.

Jim built a new home a few years into their marriage after they discovered that the original house had serious termite damage. Once that was finished, the couple has continued to add new gardens and structures every year. Let’s take a tour and see what they’ve done.

Rachel and Jim Light

Rachel in the front flower bed of the original house.

Botanical Names

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