When we first visited Cornerstone Gardens in 2017, it was “very immature,” says proprietor Vaughan Drinkard. Now, “the boxwoods have closed,” and thousands of mature plants and trees come together to form a lush, unexpected green space hidden in plain sight behind an iron fence along tree-lined Government Street.

“It’s now a mature English garden,” he says proudly. A dozen white Natchez crepe myrtles tower over the garden, which is symmetrically planted with holly and boxwood. Although a traditional English garden is all white, Drinkard plans to switch things up this year. “We’re going to fill it with color,” he says.