GreenBox no. 52: The Grotto
- Tres the Wizard
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Project Name: The Grotto
Location: North Druid Hills, ATL
Project Type: Residential
Season: Fall 2025
Tucked into the North Druid Hills neighborhood, this comfy brick home sits on a generously sized lot with plenty of promise, but also a few lingering challenges. Severe flooding in the side yard threatened to damage a new addition, and the finishing touches from a previous outdoor remodel left the backyard feeling unresolved and uninspired. This project began with a simple goal: address the water first, then shape a landscape that feels cohesive, grounded, and worthy of the home, turning persistent problems into a opportunities for beauty, function, and long-term resilience.
For more info on this project, check out this great blog by Energy Vanguard.
The goals
This project was completed in stages, beginning with the flooding issues at the side door, then moving to a few border beds in the back and the front yards. Aside from managing water at the side of the house, the goal was to add color and biodiversity to areas of the yard that had been left incomplete after a recent outdoor remodel.
The Side Yard
Site Conditions
Soil: compacted clay, minimal leaf litter
Light: Full shade
Water: Severe flooding at door
Vegetation: Non-native shrubs
Challenges
Poor water infiltration
Low biodiversity
Very little light
Our Approach
Remove some existing shrubs to bring some light
Capture and infiltrate water
Add functionality to the space with a small seating area
Key Strategies
Build rain garden with outflow to adjacent creek
Add shade and water tolerant native species
Character Touches
We integrated existing onsite bricks and stones into the design
The front Yard
Site Conditions
Soil: compacted clay, minimal leaf litter
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry
Vegetation: Non-native shrubs and turf grass
Challenges
Poor water infiltration and runoff making spot hot and dry
Low biodiversity
Existing shrubs blocking air inflow
Our Approach
Remove some non-native existing shrubs
Heavy mulching
Include sun-loving native pollinators and a fruiting shrub
Key Strategies
Move existing hydrangea out of the sun
Add stone as a drainage buffer along the house
Create a path to the outdoor faucet and back plants
Character Touches
We integrated edible shrubs like Pineapple Guava into the design
The back Yard
Site Conditions
Soil: compacted clay, with erosion
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry
Vegetation: Turf grass
Challenges
Poor water infiltration and runoff making spot hot and dry
Low biodiversity
Overgrown Azalea shrubs
Our Approach
Prune back the Azalea to create more planting space
Heavy mulching
Include sun-loving native pollinators and fruiting shrubs
Key Strategies
Plant Creeping Phlox along the wall to create a living border
Create a tall pocket wildflower meadow between the fence and the house
Focus on full season interest and bird habitat and food sources
Character Touches
We integrated edible shrubs like Blueberry, Black Chokeberry, and Strawberry into the design
