What was once an overgrown patch of roadside weeds and neglected grass has become one of the most colorful spots at Harbor Club, thanks to one resident's vision, hard work and a little help from nature.
Seven years after moving from metro Atlanta to the Carriage Ridge neighborhood at Harbor Club, retired Domino's Pizza executive Ken McPherson has transformed a common area across the street from his home into a thriving wildflower garden.
The project, which not only brightens the neighborhood but also provides a haven for pollinators, birds and neighbors alike, began with a simple suggestion from his wife.
"This was kind of an ugly part of the neighborhood," McPherson said, referring to what is now a long, colorful strip of wildflowers. "It was common-area property that had weeds all over it and was never really maintained. My wife said one day it would be a perfect area to put in wildflowers."
McPherson, who previously served three years as president of his neighborhood homeowners association and remains on the board, presented the idea to fellow board members early last year.
They enthusiastically approved the plan.
In February 2025, McPherson led volunteers in clearing the existing vegetation, tilling the roughly 100-by-30-foot area and planting about $300 worth of native wildflower seeds purchased from American Meadows, a company specializing in regional seed mixes.
"I wanted seeds that would attract bees and help with pollination," McPherson said. "I wanted flowers that would bring in hummingbirds. We also have a bluebird box up there. The bluebirds like it because they can eat the bugs. So it's kind of a little ecological area that we've created here, and, of course, the flowers are beautiful."
The carefully selected mix includes native Georgia and Southeastern wildflowers that thrive in poor soil, making the previously neglected roadside an ideal location. The blooms also attract butterflies, adding even more color and life to the garden.
Now in its second growing season, the garden is fuller and more vibrant than ever.
"It is thicker this year," McPherson said. "A lot of these are perennials. They come back every year. They'll drop the seed heads, and you'll get more next year. I'm thinking I'll probably have to seed one more year again, and then after that they should be self-propagating."
The flowers typically reach their peak in mid-summer, flourishing in the middle Georgia heat with plenty of rainfall. They continue blooming until the first frost, after which the plants are cut back and left to regenerate the following spring.
To help neighbors appreciate the garden, McPherson has placed small identification signs beside several of the more unusual flowers, including partridge pea. He also encourages residents to cut bouquets to enjoy at home.
"If you cut them, the flowers continue to come back," he said. "Otherwise, they'll just die and look ugly."
McPherson also encourages neighbors to gather bouquets for residents recovering from an illness or hospital stay, creating another way the garden brings people together.
"It's always fun to watch people driving or walking by with their children," he said. "The kids love it. They're always looking for the butterflies and the bees."
For McPherson, who left Atlanta in part to be closer to his daughter, son-in-law and twin grandchildren, the project has become an unexpected way to strengthen the already close-knit community of about 80 homes in Carriage Ridge.
"I feel like I get the benefit because we look right at it," he said. "But it's really for everybody."