Garden-Lou Spotlight on the Sue & Andy Leahy Garden
Picture a hummingbird hovering at a Cardinal flower, its wings a blur but its intent direct and defined against the scarlet native plant. That was the “A-Ha” moment when Sue Leahy realized the importance of native plants. Flash forward, and today Sue has been the Native Plants Manager at Greenscape Gardens for 6 years. “I’m responsible for all aspects of the department with two really great assistants.”
After retiring from academic advising at local schools, she wanted to do “fun stuff” by taking a part-time job at a tack shop that incorporated her love for horses and, at the same time, starting part-time with Greenscape. She was eventually offered a full-time position at both jobs. “Greenscape was closer to home and paid more money,” Sue explains. It was there that she got involved with the Grow Native! Committee through her boss, Jennifer Schamber.
“The best part of my job is working with customers, making them aware of the importance of natives and helping them start or improve their native gardens,” says Sue. Her love and appreciation for natives extends past work to the home she’s shared with husband Andy for the past 35 years. For the past 18 years, the couple has incorporated natives from front to back, where they’ve seen a definite increase in bees and butterflies. “We love watching the wildlife!” Sue says.
Another key component in attracting wildlife is water. Sue and Andy built the waterfall and 65’ stream in the back garden that flows into a 7’ x 11’ pond. Even the front garden has a bubbler water feature that’s popular with the local birds and other wildlife with its gentle, soothing sounds.
The Leahy Garden has been featured in Design St. Louis Magazine (May 2020), Wild Ones St. Louis YouTube Channel, and on local tours like the Annual Native Plant Tour, Grow Native Anniversary Tour, and recently, Pond-O-Rama. Strolling the garden during a tour is an education in ecology and sustainability with labeled plants, water barrel information, and an abundance of photos.
Visitors immediately notice the color and texture that comprise the front garden, which was once a clean slate of turf with a yew hedge. The transition from front to back is equally colorful. Raised beds overflowing with native perennials provide color and height as they lead the way to the back garden, abundantly layered with 160 species of native trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Maintenance is shared between the couple. “We cut down all perennials late winter/early spring. We probably spend 20 hours a week between the two of us… Lots of problems with annual weeds and invasive Golden Rain Tree.” July Anti-Tree of the Month-Golden Rain Tree –
As all gardeners know, a garden is never “finished’ and Sue has plans as the plants mature. “I plan to create a mini-woodland area down under the oak trees. That will eventually require some changes to the lower butterfly garden as it becomes more shaded.”
Sue has the unique opportunity to educate others about all the benefits of native plants, whether they are visitors during a garden tour or customers at Greenscape.
“I wish more people were aware of the importance of saving our natural world and planting gardens that “give back” and are supportive of our native birds, bees and butterflies, not just pretty.”
And Sue is leading that awareness the best way, by example.
Quick Facts:
-Size of garden if known? Between ½ and ¾ of an acre.
-Year garden started? 35 years ago; been planting natives for about 18 years.
-What is your favorite time of day in the garden? Probably evening in the summer when the fireflies come out.
– Is there any other garden or gardener that inspires you? Shaw Nature Reserve is fantastic.
-Do you have any other passions besides gardening? I was into horses for a long time, which overlapped with the start of my native gardening. I don’t ride anymore.
– What’s your favorite gardening tool? Soil knife
-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!) New England Aster – so many pollinators to watch
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer. Additional photos graciously provided by Sue Leahy
