Interior designer Shea McGee transformed her empty yard into a lush garden featuring flourishing hydrangeas, delicate lavenders, and homegrown vegetables, making her outdoor space an inspiring extension of her home and creativity.
- Garden took six years to fully mature
- Design principles shape planting choices
- Gardening as a creative, evolving practice
What happened
When Shea McGee and her family moved into their new home nearly seven years ago, the garden was a blank slate with no pre-existing plants. Despite describing herself as 'not a gardener' initially, Shea set out with a clear vision to create a space filled with hydrangeas and a restrained, elegant palette of greens, whites, and lavenders. Over time, her efforts bore fruit as the hydrangeas grew abundantly, framing the house beautifully as she had imagined.
This garden became more than just a collection of plants; it evolved into a living laboratory where Shea could experiment with how her outdoor space complements her interior design work. She planted with intention, favoring plants that provide cut flowers for the home and create a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors. Strategic choices such as including insect-repelling plants like petunias allowed her to enjoy immediate color and fullness while waiting for slower-growing plants to mature.
Why it feels good
The satisfaction Shea finds in seeing her garden bloom each year is deeply fulfilling because it grew from a long-held dream. The patient process of nurturing hydrangeas to maturity was surprisingly rewarding for someone naturally impatient. Witnessing the transformation from empty land to a flourishing, vibrant garden confirms the value of persistence and the joy of creativity rooted in nature.
Shea’s experience also shines a light on overcoming the fear of failure that often holds people back from gardening or other creative pursuits. Embracing mistakes and learning over time has allowed her to enjoy the evolving nature of a garden, finding beauty in discoveries made year after year. Her garden gives her a daily dose of happiness, from clipping flowers for indoors to observing the subtle color changes in hydrangea blooms as seasons turn.
What to enjoy or watch next
Those inspired by Shea’s garden journey can take heart in her approach: start with clear intentions, be patient, and allow room for experimentation. Consider selecting plants that not only bring immediate visual interest but also serve practical purposes like flower arranging or pest control. A restrained color palette can unify outdoor spaces with indoor décor, turning gardens into a natural extension of home.
Keep an eye on how Shea continues to evolve her garden, possibly exploring new varieties or seasonal plantings that reflect her design sensibility. For anyone nurturing their own garden, watching how each year brings different surprises can transform gardening from a task into an ever-changing art form that rewards mindfulness and creativity.