Backyard Overhaul
This project turns an uninspiring, empty space into a private oasis of native shrubs and trees. We re-graded the property to redirect the runoff to irrigate the shrubbery and heavily amended the beds and lawn before planting. The compost retains this moisture to create a water-conscious landscape. The fast-growing natives in the back of this yard will completely screen this space within a few growing seasons giving the space an intimate feeling the homeowners are after.
Native blueberries and Oakleaf hydrangea provide a fall color pop in this side yard. Around the corner, the rosa plena camellias are finishing their blooms as the Camellia japonica come into bloom. Come spring the redbud, dogwood, azaleas and blueberries will blossom while the camellias drop their last petals. The penny mac hydrangeas are the last to bloom and continue to bloom into the fall when the leaf color returns and the camellias bloom again.
Seasonal Interest.
The Japonica camellia blooms in the cold of winter, this garden has a variety of flowering shrubs that bloom in every season eliminating the need for seasonal flower beds which require costly maintenance. Integrating flowering evergreens throughout the foundation plants in a garden is a great way to add seasonal interest especially in smaller spaces where there may not be room for both privacy screening and flower beds.
24 yards of compost spread across the yard ensures healthy grass, shrubs, and trees from the start. This water-saving measure saves the client’s wallet by negating the need for supplemental irrigation.
Not only does this path allow easy access to the garden, but it also redirects the downspout runoff to the hydrangeas and redbud tree further reducing the need for irrigation.
Before our renovation, this yard was an empty lawn with no separation between the property and common grounds. The only thing defining this yard is a lonely survey marker sitting in the open. After the landscape renovation the yard has a defined boundary and privacy will be established as the plants mature. Additionally, reducing the amount of lawn to the small oval as seen above has the added benefits of saving water and time mowing. Lawns need an inch of water a week in the hot summer months and this either leaves you with a high water bill or a brown, unhealthy lawn come August. Once established the bushes replacing the lawn will fill their respective mulch beds and require little to no supplemental irrigation except in the driest of months.
A rare southern snow on a young install. Notice the young fescue grass already filling out the lawn despite the season. Fescue planted in fall will continue to grow and mature through the winter making a mature stand by spring ensuring the grass is strong enough to survive the dry summer heat.