This is our “2020 Featured Project of the Year”. (see photo #1). This home sits on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee. When we first met these folks, the site had a few existing features. The front walk, the retaining wall and the 2 blacktop driveways already existed. The front yard was bare soil with no existing grass. We developed a plan together with the customers input (see plan).
The following is a recap of the things we accomplished on this project for these amazing customers.
The front entry (see photo #2) had an existing paver walk already in place. We planned the planting areas at the front foundation which included a granite lamp post. At the far end of the walk, there’s a planting bed which needed to encompass a large area around a bunch of utility-type features. We had to plant the bed around 2 septic tank covers, the septic vent and a guy wire from a pole. The front yard had sod installed.
At the edge of the existing blacktop driveway, the customers requested a border of rock. (see photo #3) We put in a timber edging then fabric and stone. The reason we chose to do a timber edging is to keep the rock well separated from the grass for mowing purposes.
On the other end of the house there is an existing lower blacktop driveway. There was also an existing boulder type retaining wall. We installed a granite cobble ‘apron’ in the blacktop near the street. Above and below the retaining wall are more planting bed areas. The bed above the wall is another view of that area that goes around the septic features and the guy wire. (see photo #4)
Photo #5 shows another view of the bed surrounding the septic features and the utility poles guy wire. There is a gorgeous Japanese Maple which stands out against the house beautifully. There is also a very colorful mix of shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses.
Photo #6 is a close up view of the Japanese Maple with the surrounding colorful plants.
At the street, there was an old mailbox on a metal post, a very large tree and a very large existing outcropping of ledge. This area now has a bed that goes around all of these things. There was also a new granite mailbox post installed which goes perfectly with the granite lamp post near the front entry walk. We put in a really nice specimen plant here which is called a ‘Little King River Birch’. In the photo you’ll notice an ‘uplight’ into this tree. (see photo #7 and photo #8)
On the lake-side of the home, there was some existing lawn along with some disturbed lawn areas. On this side of the home, we did not install sod but instead opted for seeding any disturbed lawn areas. There was a low area that is prone to being wet near the property line. This area has some existing trees. We pruned up a lot of the existing growth and the new bed includes moisture loving plants such as River Birch, Winterberry Ilex and Clethra. (see photo #9)
Also on the lake-side of the home, there was an old well that we did a small planting bed around (see photo #10). In the distance in this photo, you will see a flag pole. We installed this new flag pole for them and put a planting bed at the base of it.
Lastly, these folks have a dog and needed a dog run. We worked with a fence company and had a nice fence installed to contain the dog. (see photo #11) All in all, this was a wonderful project with many features. They got all of the concerns addressed and now have a colorful, practical landscape!!!