“I could design hair and interiors, but I just didn’t get how the earth works,” says Shawn Hyson, whose amazing garden epitomizes years of trial and error. “It’s been a work in progress,” he admits. 

Actually, gardening is in Shawn’s genes. “My mom was really into it,” he says of his late mother, Deborah Hyson. The two also share another creative genetic trait, as both became hair stylists. Deborah operated her business, Phase II Hair Design, out of the house where Shawn now lives and operates Shawn Hyson Hair Design. A stylist for the last 35 years, Shawn began his career at Headlines in Downtown Lancaster. He then worked with Deborah for 10 years, and when she passed away in 2011, he took over the salon and moved into the house. “I inherited a lot of my mom’s clients, as well as her hydrangeas” he notes. 

Shawn began experimenting with gardening at his previous residence. “I’d get frustrated when I’d plant something and it didn’t make it,” he explains. Then, a neighbor who had a beautiful garden shared some words of wisdom. “She told me that things didn’t need to stay where I put them and to not be afraid to move things around,” he recalls. Voila! Shawn began to have success. 

The bungalow in which Shawn lives is more than 100 years old. He decided to enhance the landscaping for the sake of his clients. “I wanted to give them a nice entry,” he says of the walkway that passes through the small front yard and delivers them to the entrance of the salon at the rear of the house. 

The project created quite a challenge for the neophyte gardener. The front yard is essentially a shade garden due to the trees that grow in it and on neighboring properties. “Maple trees have shallow root systems, so that was another problem,” he says of their not wanting to share moisture. The backyard presented the opposite conditions: it’s sun-filled throughout the day. 

A billboard he spied in the Carlisle area provided the answer to the front yard dilemma. “It advertised a place called The Hosta Hideaway,” Shawn explains. He hit the jackpot, as the York Springs nursery stocks over 400 varieties of hosta, as well as shade plants and statuary. “I now have 80 varieties of hosta,” he reports of what he considers to be one of his favorite plants. 

He also found another solution for combatting the root system of the maple trees. “I use a lot of container gardens,” he says. He fills them with shade-loving perennials and houseplants. “The pots not only add texture and color, but they also provide differing heights to the garden,” he points out. Because he only buys frost-resistant containers, the perennials can stay put throughout the year. “I’d put the pots in storage over the winter but then someone told me that perennials need low temperatures to go through their life cycle. So, now I just leave things alone. I give the houseplants away to clients.” Some containers are sent to Little Brook Orchids for safekeeping over the winter. 

He also credits his clients for his horticultural education. “They have me driving all over the place to check out their favorite garden centers,” he shares. “In fact, this spring, I scheduled some days off so that I can go plant shopping.” Locally, his favorite sources include Frey’s Greenhouse and Ken’s Gardens. His goal this year is to add more natives to the landscape. “I need to work on that,” he says. “My problem is how to have them meet my aesthetics … natives can look a little messy.” 

That observation explains Shawn’s garden-design philosophy. “I’m a maximalist,” he says of his desire to outfit every square inch of his property with plants. “But it must have variety and balance. I have a problem with negative space.” As it stands now, Shawn estimates that 80% of his property is planted in perennials. He relies on annuals to fill in spaces and provide a consistent pop of color throughout the growing season. 

Shawn has also embraced the movement to cut back on lawns. “When I moved in, the front yard was basically trees and lawn and a few hydrangeas my mom had planted. The garden has almost taken over the lawn. There’s a patch left that is so small that I can use shears to trim it,” Shawn reports. He’s also a proponent of not using chemicals on his property. “The only thing I use is Holly-tone on the hydrangeas,” he shares. 

The rear yard is totally devoid of grass. It’s covered in flagstone and is surrounded by crepe myrtles, sun-loving flowers and containers that are filled with dwarf and miniature shrubs. “I want to do more work back there,” he says of the space. A recent trip to Spain provided him with inspiration. “In Spain, the annuals grow huge, and the trees are gorgeous,” he says. 

Shawn also makes it a habit to do a fall clean-up. “It makes spring easier,” he says. Ah, but there’s another reason. Like many gardeners, Shawn decorates his property for each and every holiday. His Easter display was not only whimsical but also gorgeous. “I go all out for Halloween and Christmas,” he admits, noting that his husband, Juan Gonzalez, is a driving force, as he helps Shawn develop and execute seasonal decorating concepts.  

This spring his goal is to divide many of the hosta and perennials. “A lot of the hostas are four years old, so it’s time,” he says. He also views the chore as an economic boon for the garden. 

Shawn has also become a devotee of houseplants. “I’ve been experimenting,” he says of the growing collection that fills his salon and home. He’s also learning to propagate them. 

Shawn takes pride in how far he’s come from a green-thumb perspective. “Clients are always very complimentary,” he says. “Some say it looks like a mini-Longwood, which is very rewarding to hear. Knowing that they recognize the time it takes to keep everything looking good is also rewarding. But I give the credit to Mother Nature and God. It’s cool to see things grow and thrive.” 

Shawn’s stylish front porch provides a birds-eye view of his creative handiwork. I was sure he put the beautiful space to good use. “No, not really,” he replies. “I have allergies and can’t be outdoors for too long.”