Perennials, low growing evergreens, ornamental grasses and a Japanese maple combine to create a colorful entrance. Andrew Savinson, Creative Landscapes.

This is an example of a mid-sized rustic backyard formal garden in San Diego.

Perennial Garden blooming in spring with Tulips and Virginia Bluebells. Andrew Savinson, Creative Landscapes.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional full sun backyard mulch garden path in Philadelphia for spring.

The idea was to use landscaping to create color and interest and to direct the eye to the front door. Andrew Savinson, Creative Landscapes.
Inspiration for a large transitional full sun front yard formal garden in Philadelphia.

Perennial Garden blooming with Iris, Dames Rocket and Giant Allium. Andrew Savinson, Creative Landscapes.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional full sun backyard mulch garden path in Philadelphia for spring.

Natural Stone Steps leading to the front door are surrounded by perennials. Andrew Savinson, Creative Landscapes.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional full sun backyard stone garden path in Philadelphia.

Natural Stone Steps leading to the front door are surrounded by perennials and flowering shrubs. Andrew Savinson, Creative Landscapes.
This is an example of a large victorian shade front yard stone landscaping in Philadelphia.

Brunnera 'Silver Heart' - a 2014 introduction Skagit Gardens
Inspiration for a landscaping in Seattle.

Matt Wargo Photography
Photo of a traditional full sun flower bed in Philadelphia for summer.

Summer blooming perennials and ornamental grasses frame in the back yard. Design and photo by Bob Trainor
Greenhouse - large traditional detached greenhouse idea in Boston

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard landscaping in Other.

This project is entitled 'Bringing Nature Home'; Where the Coyotes Run. While initially meeting with the client on a sunny afternoon a coyote ran across the lawn. This indicated good fortune was waiting. From a Feng Shui perspective...powerful, positive energy. An excerpt from the design concept is...Flowering ornamental grasses colorful perennials with large boulders will accent your new, native plant garden.

Marti Neely, APLD
Photo of a mid-sized transitional full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Omaha.

Design ideas for a large traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Chicago.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard landscaping in Other.

Inspiration for a large traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Chicago.

Photo of a large traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping in Chicago.

Pool - large traditional side yard pool idea in New York

This project presented unique opportunities that are not often found in residential landscaping. The homeowners were not only restoring their 1840's era farmhouse, a piece of their family’s history, but also enlarging and updating the home for modern living. The landscape designers continued this idea by creating a space that is a modern day interpretation of an 1840s era farm rather then a strict recreation. The resulting design combines elements of farm living from that time, as well as acknowledging the property’s history as a horse farm, with staples of 21st century landscapes such as space for outdoor living, lighting, and newer plant varieties. Guests approach from the main driveway which winds through the property and ends at the main barn. There is secondary gated driveway just for the homeowners. Connected to this main driveway is a narrower gravel lane which leads directly to the residence. The lane passes near fruit trees planted in broken rows to give the illusion that they are the remains of an orchard that once existed on the site. The lane widens at the entrance to the gardens where there is a hitching post built into the fence that surrounds the gardens and a watering trough. The widened section is intended as a place to park a golf cart or, in a nod to the home’s past, tie up horses before entering. The gravel lane passes between two stone pillars and then ends at a square gravel court edged in cobblestones. The gravel court transitions into a wide flagstone walk bordered with yew hedges and lavender leading to the front door. Directly to the right, upon entering the gravel court, is located a gravel and cobblestone edged walk leading to a secondary entrance into the residence. The walk is gated where it connects with the gravel court to close it off so as not to confuse visitors and guests to the main residence and to emphasize the primary entrance. An area for a bench is provided along this walk to encourage stopping to view and enjoy the gardens. On either side of the front door, gravel and cobblestone walks branch off into the garden spaces. The one on the right leads to a flagstone with cobblestone border patio space. Since the home has no designated backyard like most modern suburban homes the outdoor living space had to be placed in what would traditionally be thought of as the front of the house. The patio is separated from the entrance walk by the yew hedge and further enclosed by three Amelanchiers and a variety of plantings including modern cultivars of old fashioned plants such as Itea and Hydrangea. A third entrance, the original front door to the 1840’s era section, connects to the patio from the home’s kitchen, making the space ideal for outdoor dining. The gravel and cobblestone walk branching off to the left of the front door leads to the vegetable and perennial gardens. The idea for the vegetable garden was to recreate the tradition of a kitchen garden which would have been planted close to the residence for easy access. The vegetable garden is surrounded by mixed perennial beds along the inside of the wood picket fence which surrounds the entire garden space. Another area designated for a bench is provided here to encourage stopping and viewing. The home’s original smokehouse, completely restored and used as a garden shed, provides a strong architectural focal point to the vegetable garden. Behind the smokehouse is planted lilacs and other plants to give mass and balance to the corner and help screen the garden from the neighboring subdivision. At the rear corner of the garden a wood arbor was constructed to provide a structure on which to grow grapes or other vines should the homeowners choose to. The landscape and gardens for this restored farmhouse and property are a thoughtfully designed and planned recreation of a historic landscape reinterpreted for modern living. The idea was to give a sense of timelessness when walking through the gardens as if they had been there for years but had possibly been updated and rejuvenated as lifestyles changed. The attention to materials and craftsmanship blend seamlessly with the residence and insure the gardens and landscape remain an integral part of the property. The farm has been in the homeowner’s family for many years and they are thrilled at the results and happy to see respect given to the home’s history and to its meticulous restoration.