Nature's Accents Landscape Services, Inc. Project Entry: Cummings' Residence 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Hardscaping $15,000 - $30,000 Award Level: Bronze Project Description: The Cummings' worked with our designer to create an outdoor living space which would function as an area for family and friends to gather. The two main elements the clients requested were an area for an outdoor fire pit, where they could comfortably gather and roast hot dogs and marshmallows. The second was to incorporate a pergola to provide shade as well as add an architectural element to the design. Taking their needs into consideration, our designer created spaces for each of these requests as well as incorporating plantings with seasonal interest. The Cummings' property is situated on about 2 acres in a rural setting. The property is mostly flat and gently slopes from the front of the home to the street. The property is bordered by farmland an country homes as well as a commercial property to the left. Privacy became a concern and a fence was installed to screen the commercial property. Ornamental and perennial plantings were chosen for full sun, low maintenance, extended bloom time and if possible multi-seasonal interest. Incorporating circles and various sizes of pavers created a challenge to blend square and circular patterns, as well as incorporating the vinyl pergola square to the existing buildings and paver patterns. Also, this project was installed in August and there were extended periods of extreme heat and little shade relief due to lack of mature trees on the site. The 790 square feet of material used to create the patio was Imperial by EP Henry 3-piece modular pavers. They were installed in a random pattern with a 8x9 sailor row. The pillars, seat and retaining walls, fire pit and steps were created using Versa-lok block. Natural stepping stones were installed to provide access through the landscape to the back yard. Several Integral light fixtures were integrated into the seat and retaining walls and the steps. A custom 12x12 white vinyl pergola was installed. Brown toned 1-3" decorative stone was installed throughout the design to aid in drainage as well as add another dimension to the project. Each project our company, Nature's Accents Landscape Services, Inc., undertakes has its own unique features. It was a real pleasure to see all the unique aspects of the project unfold, from the initial design consultation to the last installed plant, not to mention surpassing our client's expectations. This project has been admired by many clients of the homeowners (tanning/nail salon on site) and through their recommendation has led to four new clients of our own. PLANT LIST: • 1 Cornus kousa `Satomi` • 1 Cedrus altantica `Glauca Pendula` • 1 Fagus sylvatica `Purple Fountain` • 2 Physocarpus opulifolius `Seward` • 2 Hibiscus syriacus `Lucy`-tree form • 2 Fothergilla gardenii `Mt. Airy` • 3 Panicum virgatum `Shenandoah` • 4 Liriope muscari `variegata` • 12 Hemerocallis `Happy Returns` • 5 Rosa `Radrazz` • 2 Virburnum carlesii • 3 Miscanthus sinensis `Adagio` • 8 Salvia x sylvestris `May Night` • 2 Taxus bacatta `Rependens` • 3 Liatris spicata `Kobold` • 1 Miscanthus sinensis `Morning Light` • 3 Coreopsis verticillata `Moonbeam` Photo Credits: Nature's Accents Landscape Services, Inc.