Shady gardens are a designer’s delight, and this spruce-canopied retreat was pure inspiration! We layered Hostas, Creeping Jenny, and Glow Girl Spirea for luminous color, paired with river stones and fir mulch for texture. The result? A cool, enchanting oasis (and a fantastic new client connection) that even left me dreaming of my own shady getaway!

When Grasswood Estates clients asked us to rescue their failing terrace garden, we discovered beds packed with clay and gravel—hardly a recipe for growth! After a heroic excavation (by the clients themselves!), we replenished the soil and crafted a “mountain meadow” with wildflowers, boulders, and hardy shrubs. Now, this country retreat feels as alive as the landscape around it.

When I met my former boreal forest ranger client in 2018, we instantly connected over our shared love of wild spaces. Her yard became a reflection of her adventurous spirit - blending Mid-Century Modern style with natural elements from her travels, like collected stones and antler sheds. Our builder nailed the MCM-inspired deck that anchors the space, while native plants like Anise Hyssop and High Bush Cranberry mingle with Russian Sage and Catmint in that wonderfully unruly way she loves. Seeing the honeysuckle spilling over the pergola this summer filled me with joy, and I can't wait to return after three years to help shape the next phase of this ever-evolving, deeply personal landscape.

Tired of mowing and craving more curb appeal, our clients transformed their all-lawn front yard into a striking, low-maintenance landscape. Partnering with Lost River Timber, we framed the space with rugged timbers that complement the natural slope, then kept the planting scheme simple yet impactful with year-round structural interest. The catmint lining the front path steals the show each summer, buzzing with bees for weeks—a sight that brings our clients endless delight! Next time you’re driving through Clarence Avenue, keep an eye out for this standout redesign.

In recent years, we’ve seen a growing shift from traditional lawns to vibrant, eco-friendly gardens—and this stunning pollination station is a perfect example! Our clients had already begun transforming their yard but wanted a cohesive design to bring their vision to life. Partnering with them, we created a lush, pollinator-friendly oasis framed by a beautiful Roman-style courtyard wall (expertly crafted by Dillan Dierichs!). As the perennials mature, the space will evolve into a dreamy, Piet Ouldolf-inspired meadow, buzzing with life. With over 60 butterfly species and 100 native bees in our area, this garden isn’t just a retreat for the homeowners—it’s a vital haven for local wildlife, proving that beauty and biodiversity go hand in hand.