White Gardens

[White Gardens]

And the final pics.

[White Gardens]

This house was built around 1860 or so.

The original owner owned horses and one of them won the worlds fair around 1910. (I need to get exact numbers.)

I've done reasearch around the area at other properties that are as old.

Here is the designs.

The ledge with the two posts are actually used to mount a horse. The two post has rings in them to tie your horse to. The concrete work was done around 1910 which falls in line with other farmsteads in the area.

The 2 tier patio is going to be the biggest part along with the paver sidewalk. I'll have more pics of that area in a couple of days.

Last pic is of the side. That's the one that I might need some input on.

More pics to come. This is a big project. The HO has been burned by previous landscapers. I've already secured this property with my maintenance schedule, so it's a matter of when, not if.

All input is appreciated, please feel free to critique.

[White Gardens]

Picture problem. I'll have them soon.

[White Gardens]

Figured it out.

Here are the before pics.

[White Gardens]

Here is my design idea.

Feel free to criticize, constructively of course.

[White Gardens]

Another Design.

[White Gardens]

Another view, one more and I should be done.

[Humble Earth Mover]

Is this the design you were trying to estimate the stone for? Looks like more than 20 SF!

I think the second tier on the patio is pointless. (Nice dog by the way) It's not usable space and it's too big to be a step. I would take the extra square footage of wall block and use it to build a nice seat wall on the upper patio and do a nice set of radius steps that descend into the yard.

I also don't quite understand the walkway leading into that little wall with the concrete things on top. What is that area currently used for? It looks like it's a walkway that steps down into the yard.....why block it with a wall?

I think the plantings need more evergreen support. Hosta gives you about 4 months of show and that's it. Until the hydrangeas and hostas push, you have a pretty baron area with just the GM boxwoods. I would maybe wrap the corner with some broadleaf evergreens like Otto Luken or Pieris. Maybe wrap some helleri holly in front of the dogwood with the annuals tucked in behind.

The images as you show them are not unified to me. They seem disjointed in both style and materials, but that's partly to do with that sucky ProLandscape program you are using. (sorry that was harsh) A plan view of the overall space would show a lot more of the intended unity. Are you taking out the basketweave brick walkway area?

When do you meet the client to present the design? Hope I didn't rip it apart too much. Without criticism you'll never grow.

[White Gardens]

Oh no, great reply.

We have discussed the idea of having more winter interest on the side of the house.

I've also thought about the seating wall, but went with this idea first. I'm going to submit the designs and then get some good input from the HO.

The plans are mainly just conceptual. Final plant design will probably happen closer to the project. I agree though, it would be a bare area.

My only thoughts on this project is that I'm trying to stay in the 1860's style of gardening, which really didn't include too many evergreens.

The ledge with the two pillars is a place to hitch your horse and dismount. The original concrete pillars, with rings, and ledge were installed around 1910 or so. There is another section on the other side of the property with the same set-up with a walkway leading to it also. I'll get more pics soon.

The basket weave patio is going to be pulled up and re-done. There is also about 300 square feet of old road pavers that they want me to use also. So my main problem is finding a wall block to either match or contrast with the pavers.

My other issue is also using a paver for the rest of the sidewalks. I've come up with a cobbled clay paver from Whitacre.

Here is a couple pics of a historic property similar to the one I'm working on. I'm getting some of my ideas from it.

The first pic is of the horse hitching post and ledge. One of the pics is also of a prickly pear cactus. You don't see too much of that around. The stone pillars also match the ones at the property I work on. Almost the exact same form too.

[lawnMaster5000]

Would a natural dry stack wall be within budget in place of the Segmental Walls?

I think the Whitacre paver choices will work nicely depending on what you do with the walls.