The Garden

If planning the house was Phase 1, and building the house is Phase 2, then the landscaping is Phase 3.  I've hired a Landscape Architect named Brian Bainnson--and he's been great.  He came up with a couple overall plans, but (as usual) I had a fairly well-established layout in mind, so we're pretty much back to my basic design--with his knowledge and input being invaluable--and his beautiful renderings helping me visualize.

   

The hardscape is the backbone and needs to be addressed first.  This includes, driveway, patios, paths, walls, trellises, fence and gate and water features.  These will provide the structure and flow of the garden.  Then comes defining the borders and beds.  After that irrigation and outdoor lighting.  

My house, as most, is all right angles and straight lines.  And the stone exterior gives it an austere appearance.  So my rule-of-thumb for this garden is--no straight lines and loose, free-mingling planting.  And, while I think the style of the house calls for some formality, I want a very relaxed formality.  From the living room you'll look out on a lawn and reflecting pool, but I want unstructured cottage-style borders.  Outside the kitchen and family room will be a simple gravel patio with a casual dining table and sitting area.  Hopefully, the outdoor spaces will feel like extensions of the interior rooms, with a theme and purpose.  And I want plenty of natural (yet planned) spaces--meadow, woodland, etc.    

I need some fairly mature trees to establish quickly and soften the lines of the house.  I want an English Laurel hedge along my East fence line to screen the neighbors' homes and add privacy.  I want a vine covering at least one wall.  And I want evergreen foundation plants near the house.  After that, it's all just fun and games! 

I'm very excited about this new phase.  It's more fluid than the house design--it will change and evolve as time goes by and I live in my home.