THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503110027
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G19 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: WEEDER'S DIGEST
SOURCE: BY ROBERT STIFFLER, GARDENING COLUMNIST
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
EDNA COATES has one of the most unusual gardens in Norfolk. So unusual that it was featured in color in Beautiful Gardens magazine last year.
She cares for the garden and the Indian figures created by her late husband, James R. Coates. He was an authority on Indians and spoke the Cherokee language. An archaeologist by training, he worked many years as an executive with Norshipco.
Over 44 years, he built stone walls around the edges of the Coates garden on Studely Avenue. Many of the stones came from old downtown Norfolk, including Union Station and the Monticello Hotel.
After building the walls, Coates carved or sculpted designs, based on his love of Indian lore. There are many Indian stones, gathered from around the country, incorporated into the walls. Today the enclosed garden features many Indian signs and symbols.
The garden is planted primarily with perennials, including iris, daylilies, poppies and impatiens, protected by the wall from the winds off of the Elizabeth River.
Because of James Coates' research into the Cherokee tribes and other Indians, much of his work was donated to the Jamestown settlement.
Edna Coates says she has looked at many of the faces in the walls so long that they have become her friends. And she's proud of them. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ROBERT STIFFLER
Edna Coates admires the Indian figures carved in her walls.
by CNB