The home of a therapist and meditation practitioner, this dreamy backyard features a soft mosaic of native woodland plants, two seating areas, and a unique, custom cedar fence built to accommodate an existing black cherry tree that straddles the property line.
As so often happens, this project began because of environmental pressures. Z’s basement flooded several times during the terrible rains of 2023, and the backyard had fallen into disrepair over a period of years. It was time for a refresh that addressed the flooding and created a welcoming space.
Z’s garden before:
With the help of contractors and carpenters, we installed a dry well beneath the garden, added new drains, and subtly re-pitched the patio so that it would drain into the garden rather than toward the house. The new garden wall was built in part with stones unearthed during the excavation for the well, and some of those stones were also used to line the path.
This project challenged my color preferences, which I always appreciate. I tend toward softer colors and pastels, but this garden is all spiky red cardinal flower, saturated plumleaf azalea and splashes of purple—a bold combination I would never have undertaken on my own, and one I am now genuinely thrilled about. Collaborating with clients whose tastes differ from mine is a joy, and often yields work that surprises me and that I’m proud of.
Given a few more years, this garden will grow into an oasis for insects and people. Even after less than one year in the ground, it hums with the sound of pollinators, and the lightning bugs flock here.
