Featured Gardens: Country Estate
The owners of this property initially just asked for flower beds to brighten the shade of the surrounding pine plantation. We saw it as an opportunity to integrate the house and landscape, to which it had no relation, particularly because of an eight foot grade change down to a shapeless lawn.
The grade change required terracing, that we extended in sweeping curves around the house, giving shape to the lawn and forming planted transitions up to the house. We built cedar pergolas angling out from the house into the garden to complete the integration between man-made and natural. We designed a swimming pool reflecting the curves of the terraces, with a natural stone waterfall, and stonework set into its edge, integrated with boulder and flagstone terrace walls, pathways, and a large patio. The ochre and purple tones of the stone add warmth to the garden, and brighten the views of the forest. We planted a backdrop of small trees and shrubs, using some purple foliage varieties to echo the stone colour, as a transition to the forest. We stained the outdoor woodwork burgundy to harmonize with the stone and house colours.
An outdoor kitchen and cabana form a backdrop to the patio, from which a curving sweep of stone slabs step down to the lawn, edged with planting beds. Step stones lead through the lawn to a former problem spot, an unsightly marshy area. Now one of the ownerâs favorite parts of the garden, it has become a working part of the drainage system, that frogs and dragonflies love, formed with river rocks and boulders and planted with reeds, iris, and ground covers. A Japanese style bridge spans the pond to access the forest beyond.
The planting reflects the informality of the landscape; lush, not over-organized, but harmonious. Taking on the challenge of what would survive at this forest edge we researched and planted at least 16 varieties of trees, 17 varieties of shrubs, 6 varieties of vines, 5 varieties of ground covers, and over 30 varieties of grasses and perennials too numerous to name in this summary. The over all result is a successful integration of all the different elements- a completely livable environment in a natural setting.