A 32-year-old garden in Weston, West Virginia, merges natural scenery with thoughtful planning, securing its designer a 2026 Reader Garden Award runner-up spot. Teresa Angotti’s work revolves around the West Fork River, which borders her property, and a 60-year-old weeping willow that throws changing shadows across the land. These elements shaped both the garden’s structure and its plant selection, producing a space where sunlight and shade coexist seamlessly.
The design divides into two clear zones: one exposed to full sunlight and another locked in deep shade. The sunlit area features tall sedum and aster perennials, laid out in a relaxed cottage arrangement. The shaded side, meanwhile, incorporates ferns, hostas, and astilbes, bordered by boxwood to create a formal contrast against the looser opposite section. A small deck extends over the river, providing a peaceful viewpoint for watching the water and its visitors.
The garden’s evolution reflects decades of dedication—she has shaped it for over 30 years, using the river and willow as guiding forces. The mix of sun-loving and shade-tolerant plants guarantees visual appeal throughout the seasons, while the river’s shifting presence adds an ever-changing background.
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Angotti’s property also includes a mature weeping willow, a tree older than the garden itself. Its branches stretch across the yard, their movement altering the light patterns as the day progresses. The tree’s presence softens the garden’s edges while reinforcing its connection to the river. This interplay of light and water creates a serene atmosphere that invites lingering.
The sunlit border’s loose arrangement contrasts with the shaded area’s more controlled layout. While sedum and asters thrive in open sunlight, ferns and hostas flourish in the filtered light beneath the willow’s canopy. Boxwood hedges mark the transition between these zones, adding a geometric counterpoint to the organic forms of the riverbank. The deck serves as both an observation point and a resting place, framing views of the water’s flow.