Reader Garden Award 2026 Runner-Up:
Congratulations to Teresa Angotti from Weston, West Virginia!
For many property owners with a water view, the body of water becomes the main attraction. For Teresa Angotti, the West Fork River at the end of her backyard and the 60-year-old weeping willow at the water’s edge served as the inspiration for and inception of the gardens she has cultivated over the past 32 years.
Stay tuned! We'll be announcing our 2026 Reader Garden Award winner in the Winter issue of Garden Gate magazine. Subscribe now to get the issue!
Shade and sun together in one garden
Teresa has two distinct borders: one drenched in full sun and the other cast in the shade of that massive willow. Above, a cottage-style border is crafted with sun-loving perennials such as tall sedum (Hylotelephium hybrids) and aster (Symphyotrichum spp. and hybrids).
See Our Other 2026 Reader Garden Runner-Up Here!
Shade garden classics
Above, there’s a shade border that includes ferns, hostas (Hosta hybrids) and astilbes (Astilbe hybrids) edged with boxwood (Buxus hybrid) for a bit of formality that contrasts with the more casual border on the opposite side.
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A peaceful oasis
A small deck serves as the perfect perch to view this garden oasis and the wildlife that float and fly by. “Once seated, all cares and woes get thrown into the river, and a calm is felt immediately,” Teresa says.
Photos courtesy of Teresa Angotti
Thanks to Milwaukee® Tool for providing a pruning tools package valued over $100 as our runner-up prize!
Enter your garden for a chance to be one of next year’s winners!
For details on entry guidelines for submitting your garden in the Garden Gate Reader Garden Award, click here.
