APLD ~ APLD Members ~ Member of the Month

APLD Members ~ Member of the Month

April Featured Member of the Month
Ellen Johnston, APLD, TX CLP
Dallas, Texas

This is one of my favorite gardens not only because of its size, but also because I was able to use a large palette of grasses, perennials and native plants. The homeowner is a very enthusiastic gardener. While "low water" was a big consideration, the so often heard, and I think, poorly understood. catch phrase “low maintenance “was not. (I hear many clients request “low maintenance gardens” and they think that (a) they have to keep as much lawn as possible, or (b)- by using lots of perennials they will have a garden that comes back year after year without any maintenance.) Fortunately, Lark had very realistic expectations regarding the amount of care this garden would require and how it would look through out the year.

The Montgomery’s were in the final stages of adding a large addition to their Dallas home. They needed a plan for the back to complement the Southwest Style of their home. They liked ornamental grasses, wanted to attract birds and butterflies, and they wanted to incorporate more native plants. They also wanted to use Buffalo Grass for any lawn areas. The Montgomery’s envisioned a garden that would lend itself to large parties and small intimate gatherings.

As you will see, I had a blank slate to work with. The ‘new’ house had a beautiful pergola off the back with handsome columns imported from Mexico. The replastered pool was flanked with magnificent horse fountains, crafted and imported from Mexico as well.

Perimeter plant materials, such as Ligustrum and old Cherry Laurels would stay to maintain privacy. Fortunately, the mature trees, especially Chinese Pistache, had been well protected during the construction.

Drainage was a problem. Our heavy, sporadic rains and run off from the driveway had created large ruts and lots of muck in the back yard inside the fence. Also, new downspouts would need to be tied in to underground drains.

My Concept Plan focused on creating circulation patterns with regard to the hierarchies of the many doorways- whether they exited from public or private areas of the house, and creating or enhancing the many views. These considerations helped develop a strategy for dividing the large ‘yard’ into smaller rooms.

The final design features 3 flagstone sitting areas- a sunning patio just large enough for 2 chaise lounges, a dining patio under mature Chinese Pistache trees, near the outdoor kitchen, and a remote, shaded patio, made with the odds and ends, at the end of the Dry Creek. The main paths are Flagstone and the secondary paths are decomposed granite only. They divide the garden into rooms to facilitate maintenance and eliminate the need for metal edging.

The garden closest to the pool features plant materials with architectural interest, fragrance, movement, textures, and higher maintenance requirements. (Yuccas, Rosemary, Salvias, Rudbekias, Sedums, and Muhly Capillaris, Echinacea, Artemisia, for example).

Farther away, I used Abelia, Dwarf Wax Myrtle, Texas Sage, Twist Leaf Yucca, Salvia greggii, Lindheimer Muhly, Muhly capillaris, Miscanthus gracillimus, Indian Hawthorn and Anthony Waterer Spiraea to attract the birds and provide seasonal interest. All the Bermuda grass was replaced with a much smaller oval of sodded Buffalo Grass and now it does not need to be watered, just weeded.

Native under storey trees and shrubs such as Mexican Plum, Redbud, Nellie R. Stevens Holly, Sumac, Cenizio, Abelia, Yucca and Oakleaf Hydrangea were added at the perimeter. Turk’s Cap, Salvia, American Beautyberry and Coralberry were planted in areas where they could spread to form thickets.

A dry creek swale was created in the rear section of the property and graded to move water from the long driveway to the rear alley using a base of decomposed granite topped with large and medium New Mexico River Rock. This slows the flow of run off and allows water to percolate as much as possible. Several pieces of flagstone were laid across the creek to form strategic bridges. Wildflower seeds were sown along the edges of the creek and created a beautiful meadow.

I’d like to take you on a virtual tour of the garden, starting in the back.