Beloved by locals and a must-see spot for travelers in the area, The Gardener’s Cottage greets all who enter with a sensory and welcome embrace. Follow me behind the floral curtain of this magic spot with owner, Libby Endry, as she graciously shares the delightful journey of how it came to be and why it offers much more than the name may first lead you to believe. Spoiler alert: the story involves pastry school and her mother’s famous lemon pound cake recipe at the end!
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”
Audrey Hebpurn
In a time where we are distinctly connected by a desire for moments of hope and inspiration, stepping into this charming home and garden shop provides a breath of fresh air. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains around the corner from the historic Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, North Carolina, The Gardener’s cottage is thoughtfully designed inside and out to take your mind off the beaten path. I had the pleasure of speaking with Libby recently about her ownership experience and, though it would be near impossible to cover every delightful detail here, my hope is this taste serves to whet your appetite to experience for yourself!
Painting of The Gardener’s Cottage by original owner and artist, Bee Sieburg.
On the beginning and owning a shop at age 22
Growing up in sunny Florida, the decision to build a mountain home in North Carolina began a special journey for Libby’s family, ultimately introducing her to The Gardener’s Cottage’s original owners, mother-daughter artist duo Bee Sieburg and Molly Courcelle, who founded the shop with a focus on floral and garden design in 1997 and have stayed dear friends over the years.
After studying merchandising in college, Libby followed her heart to New York for an internship before moving to Asheville in 2004, where her sister Laura was living and working for Bee and Molly at the time. Fueled by her love to bake, she enrolled in pastry school noting she did not have concrete intentions to stay in the area long. Things quickly changed a few months after arriving when Bee and Molly decided they were ready to sell the shop, and she and her sister saw this as a sign to do something they’d always wanted to do: run a store together! “It felt meant to be” Libby explained. With the floral design side of the store already built in place thanks to Bee, Libby was eager and excited for the opportunity to put her merchandising skills to work expanding the shop side of the business.
Sarah Mollere, store manager and details mastermind!
On the store today
Today, assisted by a talented team, you may find store manager, Sarah Mollere, brainstorming with Libby about ways to navigate this unique time with creativity and dedication. Libby expresses with gratitude and sincerity, “Sarah has been my right arm during this unusual time and I couldn’t have gotten through this time without her. She’s the definition of a team player.”
On staying creative in unprecedented times
When asked about navigating new changes each day, Libby reveals, “when situations like this arise, it makes me more motivated and it challenges you to come up with something out of the box and creative.” Libby shared when the first stay-at-home order was issued that her team stayed busy by asking what they can do to keep people inspired during this time and take their mind off of something so serious. For Libby, the natural answer is one which furthers The Gardener’s Cottage’s consistent intention of making their customers’ homes and surroundings look and feel beautiful.
On composition and style
Libby helps put together a happy arrangement in the store.
“We have a lot of fun putting custom compositions together and finding unique elements that set things apart.” Often the best part, Libby explains, is in the details of helping others. In addition to floral and garden services, Libby and her team enjoy going above and beyond in the thoughtful process of putting creative compositions together. Sometimes this can look like assisting customers with the “placement of plants… or what type of centerpiece would look good where.” Although Libby would describe The Gardener’s Cottage’s style as naturally elegant, she won’t neglect an opportunity to add a touch of whimsy to a design. She explains this can be “as simple as a timeless arrangement chock-full of maidenhair ferns or more complex with elements that add something unique.” The detailed and playful approach and personality of both the pieces and people at The Gardener’s Cottage make customers eager to return and often lends to friendships that feel like family.
On the store atmosphere
This passion for detailed client involvement blends effortlessly into the design and experience of the shop itself. “I'm motivated by people’s experiences'' Libby explains. And visitors from all corners of life who enter the shop are greeted with a welcome and sensory embrace, “Don’t let the name fool you” Libby advises as she describes how you don’t have to be a plant lover to enjoy wandering through the space. With thoughtfully curated local art, unique interiors finds, books, antique treasures and more, the charming two-story indoor and outdoor space is designed to offer “something for everyone” and abounds with constant entertainment.
On the magic of the holidays
The holidays are a special time at The Gardener’s Cottage, Libby explains. “I love turning the shop into a cozy space when the weather starts to cool...bringing in whatever feels good.” This time of year also rings in a joyful holiday tradition, hosting a store event filled with friends and completed with a celebrated assortments of her mother’s baked goods made with love in her home kitchen in Florida. With a smile, Libby shares how her mother is somewhat of a celebrity for her cooking at the store. So popular are her treats that the demand for recipes resulted in a cooklet! As a special gift for us, Libby graciously shared the recipe for her mother’s delicious lemon “Pound Cake for Bee”!
On Inspiration
“We are lucky to have such beautiful nature here. I find inspiration in every season!” From the golden change in leaves with the cooler fall weather to the sparse twiggy foliage of winter and bright colors of spring, you will find Libby bringing the outdoors in to create new experiences all year round. Examples of this are reflected by bespoke pieces locally commissioned and inspired by the rustic cabins of Cashiers, to custom floral arrangements including her favorite flower, camellias!
Our conversation closed with a question provoking both a timely and timeless response…
“What do you think gardens can teach us about hope?”
Without hesitating, Libby replies by quoting “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” attributed to fellow gardener and humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn. Libby explains being in nature is a “simple way to feel grounded and connected.” A rewarding act of reaping what you sow, the process beautifully echos what we are all trying to do: build a garden for a better tomorrow, filled with hope and love for generations to come and enjoy.
Thank you, Libby, for this special conversation and the love you put into your work. If you find yourself in Asheville, don’t miss the chance to fall in love with the Gardener’s Cottage for yourself! You can find Libby and her team posting inspiring blooms and unique finds on Instagram or Facebook, and through their website!
For now, experience the magic from your kitchen with Libby’s mom’s lemon Pound Cake for Bee!
Visit the talented mother-daughter duo, Bee and Molly, at their studio in the nearby River Arts District!
Photography: some photos were taken by Maison de Carolyn and others were generously granted use by The Gardener’s Cottage. All rights belong to owners. Contact to learn more.