Our clients had been working on creating their own landscape design over many years, but they found that their efforts were not paying off. The plants were not cooperating (aka – thriving) and there seemed to be little cohesion to the look. They reached out to us to create a plan for both their front and back yard to be completed in two phases. Our landscape redesign did not throw out the baby with the bathwater though; we repurposed much of what they already had and then added in elements to complete the look.
Landscape Redesign Phase 1: Front Yard Courtyard Garden
Our clients had a front door, but everyone used the side door because it was closer to driveway. So, one of our goals was to entice visitors to the formal entryway. The long walkway created a large planting area which we turned into a courtyard garden. Our clients had already installed a fountain which we kept, and we worked around the existing mature trees. Most of their shrubbery was relocated to the variety’s preferred amount of sun. New plantings began with Spirea lined along the walkway to create a hedge feel and then filling in the courtyard with several dwarf evergreens, dwarf roses and other perennials for color. We also planted a Weeping white pine as a keynote plant, a Japanese maple, a Blue spruce, a Contorted filbert, and Rheingold Arborvitae. Accent boulders completed the landscape redesign. Our clients like unusual plants, so we used unique varieties to add more personality to the front of the home.
Phase 2: Back Yard Enhancements
The following spring our clients had us back to tackle the back yard. They had a walk out basement and existing tiered walls with landscape beds filled with rock. The landscaping had lost its “oomph”, adding no seasonal interest and a hard look with all of the rock. The existing River birches were in need of trimming to allow more light in and to enhance the view of the back woods from the patio area. Once we ensured the existing plants were happy and healthy, we started adding in new and exciting elements.
Perennial color, easy maintenance and room to add more later were our goals for this space. We added some keynote evergreens, hosta, daylilies, a dogwood tree, a Red Twig dogwood and Weeping Norway spruce. We replaced some of the plant bed rock with mulch to soften the space and to allow for future planting. And, we added accent boulders to bring the look of the front yard to the back.
On another side of the patio we added Mother Lode junipers, a ground hugging variety with gold tips which our clients really liked. At the bottom of the staircase leading from corner of the garage to back of house, we added a Fern Spray cypress. An existing Crimson King maple offered the opportunity to create an expanded planting bed as well.
Landscape redesign is just that – repurposing what you already have and adding in new to create an updated look. We do not like to waste a healthy plant, so we are huge proponents of keeping what you can and building around them. If you are dissatisfied with the current vibe of your landscape, reach out to us. Send us an email or give us a call at (317) 997-4803.
