Built in 1879, Don and Jan Kennedy’s Victorian home was originally located in Linville, Tennessee. In 1979, one hundred years later, the house was cut into pieces and relocated by the family business, Don Kennedy House Moving, onto the Kennedy property in Toney, Alabama. Don and Jan worked on the house for 20 years before finally moving in permanently in 1999.
The herringbone-patterned walkway that leads to the Kennedy’s doorway is paved with bricks that were handmade by slaves long ago. A collection of old bricks from Birmingham create perpendicular paths through lush landscaping. Their intricate wrought iron fence originated from a home in Decatur. The wrap-around Victorian front porch is decorated with draping Jackson Vines, a charming Deep South welcome for visitors.
Jan began landscaping the home with English and American boxwoods moved from other homesteads. The wrought iron and stone fencing is fronted by various hydrangeas – Annabelle, Oakleaf, Lacecap, and Niko among others. Azaleas are common throughout the wooded yard, as are purple and pink rhododendrons. Hostas flanked by native and heritage ferns fill in the lower beds. Crape Myrtles and Japanese Maples accentuate the formal statuary that graces the landscaping while gnomes are placed low throughout the gardens to entertain the grandchildren.
Large monolithic stones are used for benches, and the original watering trough from Linville is a center point. Victorian gazing balls, fountains, sundials, and stepping stone pathways provide interest throughout. Family gatherings take place at both an arbor topped with white wisteria and yellow jessamine and within a screened gazebo that offers a view of the shaded backyard. Old fashioned foxgloves nestle side-by-side with various buddleias.
Central in the front garden is a replica of the Steamboat Gothic House. Auctioned by the Cancer Society 25 years ago, Don and Jan bid on the replica but lost. Many years later they purchased the little house from the auction’s winners. The Steamboat Gothic House is a sentimental part of Don & Jan’s past as it was the first house moved by the Kennedy’s business and was used as a logo on their business card. The replica now serves as a playhouse for their grandchildren.
At the end of the long, shaded driveway a stand-alone building is flanked by sunny beds filled with various lilies, monarda, irises, gerbera daises, and rudbekia, all being enjoyed by many bumblebees and honey bees.
Jan started out without a formal landscape plan, but later hired landscaping expert Debbie Bradley. Even still, family comes before any garden plan as she points to walnut trees allowed to grow wild in flower beds because her son collects them to transplant in his property down the road. Jan does not use weed killer because of bulbs planted along every path, and only occasionally uses insecticides to control beetles.
When asked if she has any favorite plants, Jan replied that she loves plants that “come back….perennials…that will be bigger and prettier than last year.” She points to a camellia off in the distance, which is an heirloom plant from her mother. She plans to add her Grandmother’s Griffin’s sweet peas. She also points to “Linda’s Rose” growing on an arbor over a bench.
Future plans include a play area for the grandchildren with swings, a slide and horses on springs beneath the huge old growth trees to one side of the property.
