Barry and Cindy’s Garden

This property features custom built stone terraces, steep slopes, and rock filled soil. Because of the significant inclines and cliffs in this garden, I carefully maneuver the terrain and mind my footing when planting or weeding. In this space I often feel like I am rock climbing or excavating an archaeological dig, unearthing stone after stone while trying to make a hole to put a plant in. It is a physically challenging and fun site to work in.

The client was looking for guidance on how to organize the garden. We focused on creating paths that would define the garden edges and allow access through the spaces. We added a mixture of sedges and shade tolerant, native ground covers to co-mingle with existing plants, keeping the ground covered year round.

Later in the autumn, we installed a small linear bed along a painted fence backdrop. We planted sun loving, drought tolerant grasses, and prairie inspired flowering plants that will take thermal kickback from the blacktop parking area.