APLD Members ~ Member of the Month
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Ellin Hanlon, APLD
Featured Member for December 2005
Project Background
In
the spring of 1999, I was commissioned to develop a landscape
plan for a USDA Zone 6A property located in a quiet suburb west
of Boston . The previous fall, the backyard had been considerably
disrupted by the installation of a new septic system and leaching
field, and the client was puzzled by what could now be done with
the space. Although a number of trees had been removed, several
large oaks and a few white pines remained. After meeting with
the client and conducting a detailed site analysis, I began to
envision creating a serene woodland garden within the space. When
I shared my preliminary ideas with the client, she became as enthusiastic
as I about the possibilities.
Challenges, Limitations and Opportunities
Before
I could develop a plan, several issues needed to be addressed.
The first was to create privacy and enclosure. The second concerned
the functionality of the space: identifying areas for dining and
entertaining, strolling, and viewing. Finding a solution to the
various grade changes and undulations that occurred throughout
the yard was the third challenge. Once all of these elements were
conceptualized, the next step was to bring everything together
to reflect the original vision to transform this backyard into
a garden oasis that would be enjoyed from many vantage points
and in all four seasons.
The Garden Today
One
enters the garden through a privacy gate connected to a seven-foot-high
cedar fence installed along the perimeter on both sides of the
property. This fence satisfies the privacy issue and adds definition
and a sense of enclosure. Weathered to a beautiful silver-gray,
it makes a striking backdrop for those plants that abut it.
Dining and entertaining take place on a relatively large patio
constructed from Pennsylvania bluestone laid in a random pattern
of rectangles and squares. This patio is sited in the garden,
but
is easily accessed from the kitchen and family room via a creeping-thyme-planted
flagstone walkway.
Fieldstone walls surround the patio on three sides. Functional as well as aesthetically appealing, these walls not only support the patio, they provide additional seating, solve the grade issues that existed before, and help separate the garden into a series of distinct areas.
From
the patio, one ascends to the lower garden via a set of curved
fieldstone steps. A variegated Japanese maple (Acer palmatum
'Butterfly') and a coral barked maple (Acer palmatum
'Sango kaku') stand as sentinels on either side of the steps.
An
informal mulched path invites a stroll through a wooded area where
one passes clumps of white birch (Betula japonica 'Whitespire'),
compact blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Bakeri'), Rhododendrons,
variegated yellow-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Silver
& Gold'), blue hollies (Ilex meservae 'Blue Princess'),
Viburnum, a Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata),
false arborvitae (Thujopsis dolabrata 'nana'), dwarf
fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii), a cornelian cherry
dogwood (Cornus mas 'Golden Glory'), summersweet (Clethera
alnifolia 'Hummingbird') and a specimen magnolia (Magnolia
virginiana). Perennials such as Lady's Mantle, purple leaved
coral bells (Heucherra 'Plum Pudding') and the golden Japanese
forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureaola') line one
side of the path. A strategically placed bench near the top of
the path provides an opportunity to sit and view the garden from
another vantage point.
A
grass path to the left of the patio invites a stroll along the
lower terrace and a meandering walk around the lower garden. Stands
of European hornbeam (Carpinus betula 'fastigiata') and
fastigiate beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck fastigiata')
line up in front of the fence on the left side. Clumps of white
birch provide structure to the plant bed on the right, which has
one of the fieldstone walls as its backdrop. Rock outcroppings
add textural contrast among the plantings of Hosta, dwarf conifers,
a green threadleaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum dissectum
'Viridis') and the green and white variegated Japanese forest
grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata').
The
lower garden needed a backdrop, so a relatively mature stand of
rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) was installed.
A series of layers in front of these include groupings of oakleaf
hydrangea ('Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen' and 'Alice'), Azalea
'Delaware Valley White', goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus),
white-blooming Astilbe, and green and white variegated Hosta.
This border positively glows in the dappled sunlight it receives
throughout the day.
The
graceful, arching branches of two burgundy threadleaf Japanese
maples (Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama') cascade
over the fieldstone wall in the upper terrace. A Carolina Silverbell
(Halesia carolina), under-planted with dwarf Mountain
Laurel (Kalmia latifolia 'Elf'), Hellebores and Epemedium,
adds additional interest to the vignette.
The garden's planting scheme is based on form, texture and leaf color, where foliage takes precedence over flowers. A variety of specimen trees and shrubs form the backbone of the garden, and each season brings its own level of interest. The juxtaposition of perennials, chosen mainly for their foliage effects, completes the scheme. My design intent was to create a tranquil space for the client—a sanctuary of sorts. It is peaceful here, and all who visit agree it is a place in which they want to linger. This garden has become everything I envisioned it could be, and more. I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to design it!
About
the Designer
Ellin Hanlon, APLD is a designer of award winning gardens and the owner of Bright Ideas Garden Designs. Her company specializes in residential landscape design and offers consultation, complete design packages and project management services throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire . Ellin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA and was APLD certified in 2004. To learn more, please visit her website at www.brightideasgardendesigns.com.
Certified Members seeking to be profiled should send before and after photos with SHORT design intent statement to:
Bethany Dennis
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Email: communications@apld.org
Phone: 717-238-9780
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