Ponds

A second fountain by the same artists sits to the side of the main terrace, this time tucked into a vine-smothered wall that had me seek out the source of the softly dripping water.

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Add the sound of water. The centerpiece of the parterre is a shallow, square reflecting pool in which stand three water columns by sculptors Lewis and Little. The columns have an aged appearance, reminiscent of ancient ruins, which adds a fun sense of history to the relatively new space.

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Create a sense of space. The back garden is actually a fairly small space, 125 feet by 75 feet, divided between a stone terrace and planted areas, but several design tricks have been used to fool the eye into thinking it is much larger. The garden backs onto a golf course, but rather than erecting a fence on the property line, the homeowners planted a row of carefully spaced Italian cypress trees (Cupressus sempervirens, USDA zones 7 to 10; find your zone). These create a series of long windows through which we can glimpse what appears to be a distant view of rolling hills. If these trees are not hardy in your area, you could substitute another columnar conifer, such as arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis, zones 3 to 8) or green juniper (e.g., Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii Columnaris’, zones 4 to 9). Strong geometry is the second trick used to visually expand this garden. A formal parterre has been created by two intersecting paths, their axis drawing our eyes easily through the space.

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English gardens were originally designed to be pleasant to those passing on foot, but the French designer Claude Mollett reimagined them to be primarily enjoyed from a higher story or a balcony. This yard looks gorgeous from the higher stories or on the same level while lounging in a chaise.

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Add a water element for relaxation and tranquility. There are several great examples of how water can be used — a small basin, a fountain on a bed of large stones, this spitting frog fountain — all an extension of the owner’s personality and in keeping with the style of the garden and home.

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