shade garden

This garden had serious design challenges to overcome. First the entry to the yard from the side of the house was through the driveway and caused a disconnect between the garden and the house. To overcome this the driveway was paved with the same circular stone pattern as the back yard sitting area to fool the eye that the driveway is actually part of the garden. The electric gate to the driveway was clad with the same trellis as the decorative perimeter yard fencing. This also fooled the eye into believing that the driveway was part of their garden when the gate was closed. The house itself is a heritage house with a contemporary second floor addition so tying the old and new together was important to the client. This was achieved in a number of ways; the traditional house was reflected in using a traditional brick that was closely matched to the house and used in the pergola column plinths that form the bases of the post beam structure, as well as in the bbq station. Furnishings used mixed both traditional and contemporary styles. The other challenge was the garden was also in shade so large trees were pruned to thin canopy to let in more light while maintain canopy elegance. Shade plants were added that were either hardy or native to best adapt to the conditions such as serviceberry, redbud, and witch-hazel, yew and boxwood shrubs, as well as flowering hydrangea, astilbe, hosat and ivy and periwinkle ground cover.