This high visibility space front garden was full of invasive goutweed and tired plantings that lacked curb appeal. The existing driveway was not large enough for the homeowners needs and they disliked the loose granite gravel surface that was hard to walk or roll bikes on.

Our design included removing the foreground planting and moving the stone wall back by six feet to create more parking. Exposed aggregate was used for the driveway and new stairs to create continuity with the existing hardscape on the right side of the property.

The lawn was removed and a granite courtyard installed. We retained and pruned existing mature evergreens (rhododendrons, vinca) and a stunning wisteria vine. New plantings included evergreens and perennial Japanese forest grass for the ultimate low-maintenance garden.

The mature rhododendrons were in bloom during our site visit. Lovely and healthy, they inspired the new garden design.

The foreground six feet of this space was excavated to make more room for parking. The large stone and purple Ramapo variety rhododendron in the foreground were removed and reused in the new design.

The new owners wanted to modernize the traditional style of their home and garden in the landscape design. The horizontal wooden fence and gate were installed using warm-toned wood…they are a dramatic departure from the traditional lattice fencing that was removed as part of this project. Behind the rhododendron on the right the fence extended into an enclosure around a propane tank for a clean and seamless appearance.

The front garden had a number of deciduous trees that were in very good shape, as was the stunning juniper and yucca installation in the foreground. We were able to preserve many of these lovely plants although regrettably, goutweed from the neighbouring property had invaded others that needed to be removed.

The lawn was completely removed and replaced with a granite mulch installation consistent with the rest of the property. The lovely juniper and yucca were retained and repeated in new plantings that will mature and create a stunning focal point.

Varying grades of granite from dust to gabion to boulders were used to create budget-friendly focal points while a stone border will deter further invasion from nearby goutweed.

The rotting lattice fence at the back, arbor in the foreground and dated keyhole stone pavers were removed.

Once the mature boxwoods and evergreen baltic ivy were pruned, this backyard was ready to be reimagined into a functional courtyard for the family.

A smaller entrance was installed to the back door, space allocated for the barbeque with ample room for other lifestyle elements such as seating, tables or even a small fire pit.

We installed corten steel containers planted with ferns and a textural stone feature as functional elements to manage the elevation drop from the back of the garden to a central courtyard living space. The beautiful dogwood tree in the center is illuminated at night by two low-voltage spotlights. The courtyard setting conveys intimacy…perfect for an outdoor dining or conversation area.

The lawn and old raised wooden structures were removed from the backyard. Beautiful mature climbing hydrangea and evergreen cotoneaster on the stone retaining wall were retained and pruned.

This lovely stone retaining wall is along the back border of the property. This area is planted sparingly with repeated boxwoods and evergreen sky pencil holly. The holly is a coveted columnar variety that stays narrow in width as it increases in height over time. The corten steel lighting illuminates the area for easy passage when outside after dark.

At one time this area was a pond that was removed and the space planted with dated euonymus surrounded by uneven rocky ground. Along the fence bordering this side of the garden we retained and pruned a lovely stand of mature yews as part of the transition to a courtyard-style garden.

Once the site was excavated we planted the evergreens before installing 31 tons of granite in aggregates ranging from crusher dust to hand-picked boulders.

Select areas of Nova Scotia are home to beautiful granite stone. Its black, white, grey, and silver speckled appearance is beautiful in almost any setting and in particular where a clean, contemporary appearance is desired.

The overall effect is a brightened garden with the silver mica glistening in sunlight and when wet.

Amy created focal points using varying aggregates of granite. Fine crusher dust stone is used in paths and walking areas where it will compact and harden to a firm surface over time. Larger boulders were hand-picked from a private quarry in Hubbards.

Stone brings a timeless element to the garden. In this application, it allows for the contemporary and clean planting sought by the client without the garden feeling too spare or empty.

The garden is both timeless and modern using garden classics like plants and stone with modern elements including corten steel containers, contemporary style corten steel lighting and horizontal fence design.

The warm yellow glow of the lights and rustic finish of the corten steel elements create a welcoming atmosphere that softens the contemporary styling and abundant use of stone.

The containers are a multi-functional accent: not only are they beautiful as a planting area for perennial ferns, they also act as a retaining wall and barrier to keep the dogs in full view from inside the house.