Native Plants and Bluestone Flag Path

Native Plants and Bluestone Flag Path

Drought tolerant, sun-loving native plants replace a patchy lawn between the house and garage. Plants include: inkberry and winterberry hollies, prairie dropseed, June grass, ivory sedge, bluets, hairy beardtongue, stiff aster, and bird’s foot violet, three-toothed cinquefoil, bearberry, wild bleeding heart, nodding onion, heath aster “Snow Flurry”, threadleaf blue star, yarrow, blue false indigo, blue salvia, tall larkspur, New Jersey tea, wild quinine, Eastern bee balm, and wild bee balm. Carlisle, MA

Backyard Stone

Backyard Stone

The removal of an old aboveground pool makes way for a backyard redesign with stone retaining wall, waterfall and koi pond, stairs, and patio of Connecticut whiteline granite. All the retaining wall stone was excavated onsite from below the deck, which becomes usable work and storage space. Future plans include a small stream that empties into the waterfall, edible gardens, an outdoor oven, and sugar shack.

Narrow Side Garden

Narrow Side Garden

Narrow Side Garden

This narrow space needed to be balanced with a wider path and the increased width also provides more space for energetic kids to pass through without disturbing plants. The fence provides a structure for chokeberries to be espaliered when they’re a little taller. The groundcover is Tiarella “Happy Trails” and lowbush blueberries. Hostas will be transplanted to other parts of the garden after the new perennials have a chance to fill out the space.

Stone Wall Restoration

Stone Wall Restoration

Stone Wall Restoration

The stone retaining wall here was completely buried in the hillside, possibly from past tree removals. The stones needed to be excavated from the soil and then reset to meet the existing wall and stairs. The restoration adds definition and unity with the rest of the existing garden. Vinca will eventually be removed for more varied plantings.