A Garden-Lou Visit with Larry and Marian McCord
There are no words that can bring comfort during a parent’s worst nightmare-a child’s suicide.
No words can describe the pain. No answers to the thousands of questions that arise after such a tragedy. It’s something no parent should have to endure. And Marian and Larry McCord are doing everything they can to make sure other parents won’t have to. They founded the CHADS Coalition for Mental Health in memory of their son, Chad. And to help themselves heal, the McCords finished the garden Chad had helped create.
“My son Chad helped me plant a hosta from the farm I grew up on into our garden hours before his suicide,” says Marian. “To me, that hosta has come to represent the Circle of life and hope that must prevail in all our lives! Chad also dug the hole for our pond, shovel by shovel, and helped carry up stones from our natural creek at the edge of our property. Those memories will last a lifetime! I also treasure all the plants and yard art that have been gifted to us. Since all our kids helped with the building of our waterscape, gazebo, walkway, and playground, those garden projects will always have special meaning.”
The 2.2-acre garden in Oakville, Mo., leads you to believe you are deep in a peaceful forest near a trickling stream, not at the end of an unassuming cul-de-sac. The home was built in 1988, and the waterscape was built in 2003. Marian recalls the challenging conditions of the backyard. “After years of multiple attempts to grow grass in our backyard, we realized it was an unbeatable battle competing with the deep shade, high-acid soil from the oaks, water erosion, and the significant downward slope of our backyard. Someone suggested a waterscape, and after researching and going on our first SLWGS (St. Louis Water Garden Society) Tour, we knew that was what we wanted and needed to beat the battle of soil conditions. We learned to work with Mother Nature instead of trying to force her hand into something that was not a good fit for her!”
The lot came with multiple challenges, including hosta-loving deer and invasive honeysuckle that the McCords cleared and constantly keep at bay. “A third significant challenge is losing too many of our beautiful white oaks that are dying from the Oak Leaf Wilt. Our deep shade is not quite as deep throughout the back yard. I am concerned about losing too much shade for the hostas, plus every huge oak that dies is a huge loss of natural beauty! To try to keep the deer out of the yard, we rescued two sweet coon hounds. They do help keep the deer at bay, but sometimes the dogs are oblivious about walking through our plants. They can easily eradicate plants as they are on a mission to find that living creature, whether it be a raccoon or an innocent little frog!”
While the front garden is layered with color and diverse sun-loving plantings, the back garden boasts over 150 hostas and other shade-loving plants that adorn the 65′ long waterscape and a 15’x20′ pond. A gazebo at the base of the feature provides a peaceful spot to view the enchanting scene. “My favorite time of the day in the garden is the morning hours before the day gets too hot. Since I spend most of my time working (although it is really more like playing in the dirt) in the garden, I prefer cooler temps. We have large windows in our house, so even when we are inside, when it is crazy hot or bitterly cold, we are always enjoying glimpses of our garden from the house! “
Since Marian mulches with leaves and wood mulch, weeds aren’t a big problem, leaving her more time to focus on planting more perennials and other new plants to expand the garden. “I do all the gardening myself. I would be remiss if I did not give a shout-out to my three children who helped me a lot in the garden and garden projects before they left for college. I average about seven hours a day in the spring, and it tapers down to seven hours a week during the summer months. My husband averages about four hrs. a week throughout the year, keeping the waterscape looking good and the water levels up. Every winter, we will spend a full day covering the 65 ft. stream and pond with PVC conduit and netting, and in the spring, a half day to take it down.”
The McCords love to share the garden with friends and family, including her two children, who are also great gardeners. Just this year alone, the McCord Garden was featured on the St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama, the St Louis Hosta Society Tour, the ECD or Eastern Central District Tour, plus several local Garden Club tours.
“We have also had our Garden on the Live Auction for CHADS (Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide) annual Gala. My first career was as a pediatric nurse. After losing our beautiful son Chad to suicide at the tender age of 18 in 2004, Larry and I founded CHADS Coalition for Mental Health in his memory. We have since devoted our lives to supporting CHADS Coalition in the hopes of helping other kids who deal with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Our organization’s budget now ranks in the top 5% in the state of Missouri. We positively impact over 60,000 kids every year.”
Splitting time between the garden and the organization sounds like a lot of work, but not to Marian. “I LOVE gardening!” Marian says. “Many people say gardening is too much work. Yes, it may be work, but it is something I enjoy so much. I love playing in the dirt. It is incredibly therapeutic for me. It brings me so much satisfaction, hope, and joy! I love planting, waiting, and watching for little seedlings to sprout and shout out beauty and elegance! Just one more way for me to bring joy into this world!
In summary, our garden is much more than plants and things that will come and go. It is a beautiful garden that has provided us with so many beautiful memories and moments spent as a family. A true celebration of nature, life, love, and beauty!”
QUICK FACTS
-Size of Garden: 2.2 acres
-Year garden started: 2003
-What’s your favorite gardening tool? My favorite tool is my Hori-Hori Knife.
-Is there any other garden or gardener that inspires you? I attribute a big portion of my love and inspiration for gardening to growing up on a farm. We never had flower gardens, but a huge vegetable garden for our large family, as well as being involved in the growing and harvesting of crops! I think it was the roots of my connection to Mother Earth! I, of course, love to visit the St Louis Botanical Garden as well as enjoy other friends’ and family’s gardens, both large and small!
-If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have ONE plant to keep you company, what would it be? (It doesn’t have to be a food-bearing plant since this island has a free buffet!) That is tough to pick just one, but if I must, I would have to pick inpatients, as they are so easy and colorful!
For more information about CHADS Coalition for Mental Health visit; CHADS Coalition
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2025, All rights reserved.
