When our client toured our gardens during our 2023 plant sale, we asked him about his vision for his landscape. His answer – he waved his hands around and said, “I want it like this.” It was then that we knew we were in for some fun! Ever since we have been helping him develop a showcase garden that could soon be included in Indianapolis area garden tours.
Our client owns a historical home dating back to the1860s. Located on the Carmel/Westfield border, the homestead was once owned by the McNamara Florist family who lived and farmed the land. It later became the home of a retired priest who ran an antique store there for a while. Our client bought the property within the last 10 years and has been busy restoring it, keeping it true to the time but with necessary modern elements.
Our work started last spring with coordinating the irrigation, grading and seeding of the front yard. That summer he had a large pond built to serve as a spot to cool off in the July/August heat. The pond installers did a gorgeous job – we were especially impressed with their boulder design. Using the pond walls as inspiration, we built a complementary retaining wall on the opposite side of the property.
The sweeping gesture in our gardens started a partnership of creativity and exploration with our client. The intention is to create unique specimen beds throughout his property. So, just like how we discover new plants for our gardens, as we travel the US stopping in random nurseries, we are now shopping for our client and ourselves. He is also adding to the mix as he finds varieties that excite him. We swap pictures and ideas, find some plants and then find some spots to plant them – just like our garden.
Conifer Garden
The retaining wall on the south side was the perfect spot to create a collection conifer garden. Since it’s a small area, we do not plan to install large varieties. But that parameter does not limit our options! Confers run the full gamut of sizes and a key to creating a collection garden is finding unique specimens that fit the space. It’s what makes confers so fun!! We’ve found true dwarf, weeping, miniature and moderate sizes so far and are still on the hunt.
We also plan to create a perennial sun-loving summer flower garden like ours on this side of the property as well as a stellar Hosta collection!
Around the Pond
This space offers another opportunity to add interesting plants as we find them. The north and south of the pond area get full sun, which may not be best for many plant varieties. However, as gardeners, we are always pushing the envelope with the understanding it may not work out. It is so fun having a client who is on board with experimentation.
Designing a Showcase Garden
A landscape design that is centered on a loose plan is not for everyone and frankly, is not what we would recommend for most homeowners. While there is a method to our madness – we think through how each new plant relates to the existing hardscape and landscape – this is a display garden, not a homeowner garden. We are creating a landscape of keynote plants with a surprise around every corner. Let’s be clear – this style of garden requires a lot of maintenance! Our client is up to the task along with hiring people to help him. We have an agreed-upon concept in mind, but since he wants a garden like ours, it means the design will flex with the things we all come across in our continued plant discovery.
We look forward to highlighting the progress of this showcase garden over the years. In the meantime, please reach out to us with any questions. Send us an email or give us a call at 317-997-4803.
