Secrets of the Secret Garden

“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed, and every morning revealed new miracles,” reads a plaque at the entrance to the Anna and Hays Mershon Secret Garden. The quote, from the novel “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, was selected by the Mershons because, in their view, it uniquely suits the garden outside the Shepherd building. As Anna and Hays have said, "Every time we visit the Secret Garden, we see new miracles brought about by Shepherd's compassionate and uplifting care — patients with restored hope, learning that their future lives may be different, but will not at all be lesser.” 

And even for staff, patients, and visitors who frequent the garden, every day it presents something new. The garden has also been a backdrop for milestones, like birthday and anniversary celebrations, an adolescent prom, engagements, and weddings. 

During COVID-19, the garden became a special place for friends and extended family checking in on Shepherd patients — visitors could stand along Peachtree Road and chat with patients through the garden gate, allowing people to maintain connection to friends and family without compromising health and safety. It’s no wonder that for many people who pass through Shepherd Center’s doors, the Secret Garden becomes a favorite spot. With its beautiful landscaping and artistic displays, there’s a lot to discover. 

Enjoying Natural Beauty 

Despite being just yards away from one of Atlanta’s busiest roads, the Secret Garden can feel like a private nature preserve. Vibrant orange koi fish swim in a small pond. Birds flit around the lawn and treetops overhead. And raised garden beds, teeming with flowers, fresh herbs, and vegetables, give the garden a dose of bright color. 

The garden’s beauty isn’t the work of one landscape architect or gardener. It’s a patchwork of donated artwork and outdoor furniture, landscaped shrubs and flowers, and raised garden beds tended to by horticulture therapy participants. The initial garden was designed by Shepherd’s landscaping committee, chaired by Dottie Fuqua, in 1982. Over time, other features have been added — Ten Atlanta garden clubs have funded parts of the garden and continue to support the horticulture therapy program with annual grants. Former patient Peter Dames made a donation to build the koi pond. Physician Gerald Bilsky, M.D., alongside his son Marc, who has a deep passion for gardening, donated raised beds for horticulture therapy. 

Many of the plants in the Secret Garden are cared for by patients participating in the Ruth and Talmadge Dobbs, Jr. Horticulture Therapy Program, which was named to honor the memory of Ruth Dobbs McDonald and her family's longstanding and generous support of Shepherd Center. Adaptive gardening helps patients meet their therapy goals, such as fine and gross motor skills, core strength, range of motion, and cognitive goals. But for many patients, it also gives them a sense of purpose and normalcy after a life-changing injury or illness. The garden’s impact stretches beyond Shepherd Center — philanthropist and lifelong gardener Deen Day Sanders commissioned a video of the garden’s use for patients in other facilities.

Memorials, Sculptures, and Art 

In the colder months, when the flowers aren’t blooming, and the horticulture therapy beds are quiet, other parts of the garden — including memorials and art installations — take the spotlight.  

In one corner of the garden, a stone wall creates a tranquil, private place for reflection. The sculpture, designed by Donna Pickens, was commissioned in memory of Charles “Kib” Kibler Browning, Jr. by his family. A talented musician, Kib died due to complications of scoliosis. The sculpture was hand built by Kib's stepfather Bob Goodsell and pays tribute to Kib’s musical legacy in several ways — the sculpture itself bears the name of Kib’s band, The Wishing Wall. And in the center of the wall, a plaque includes lyrics from one of Kib’s songs and encourages visitors to leave their hopes and prayers in a metal slot, creating a spiritual space for meditation and prayer. 

Other sculptures in the Secret Garden also enhance the landscape. “Water of Life” and “With Compassion He Listens to All” — both modern figure sculptures — add to the serene and contemplative atmosphere. Metal figures and seasonal decor in the garden beds, as well as a fairy-sized tiny door from Tiny Doors ATL, create a sense of wonder. 

Perhaps the most eye-catching part of the garden, particularly for passersby on Peachtree Road, is the Secret Garden gate. The gate was dedicated to Shepherd staff by the husband of a former patient. But it was more than a generous gift to the hospital — it was an anniversary present. 

Eric Busko and his wife, Mary Busko, spent many hours in the Secret Garden during Mary’s stroke rehabilitation in 2021. Mary loved the outdoors, and Eric had a history of commissioning anniversary gifts for her from Andrew Crawford of Andrew T. Crawford Ironworks. The garden gate idea seemed like the perfect way to tie together their interests while celebrating the Shepherd staff members who helped Mary during her recovery. Sadly, Mary passed away due to stroke complications before the gate was finished. Now, it stands as a loving memorial to her while celebrating the love and compassion of Shepherd staff members. 

In addition to the Secret Garden, the Hazel Family Garden at the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences will serve families for years to come, and new green spaces surrounding the Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation will give patients and staff a new close-by option for outdoor therapy sessions and lunch breaks. As Shepherd’s campus changes and grows, giving all visitors access to the outdoors remains a priority, and between all the gardens and greenspaces, there’s something for everyone.

By Erin Kenney

This story first appeared in the special 50th anniversary issue of Spinal Column magazine.