It’s amazing the things we will do for our pets. In this case, we created an entire garden for them! In the spring of 2021, I met Carol and Steve…and Bosun and Tug, their two golden retrievers. As Carol explained, ‘we need a pee mitigation plan’. Um ~ excuse me??
It turns out that the dog’s…er…bathroom habits were killing the lawn and assorted shrubs and making things look rather unsightly. We all could see the potential in this lovely property. The double deep lot was flat, but had great bones with a gorgeous pool in the middle, and was crying out for a garden. The ‘mostly lawn’ space was a fun place for dogs to romp, but offered little visual interest for their ‘humans’.
spring 2021: before renovation
(click for larger image and description)
Yep, the property needed professional help, and we needed to come up with a plan to accommodate all residents of the home. But this job was too large for me to do alone. Hence, another collaboration with The Big Little Garden and Parker Garden Design took flight.
It was determined that the dogs didn’t need ALL of the lawn to romp, just enough to chase balls, leaving most of the space to be dedicated to lush plantings under stately tree canopies. On one side, the existing mature trees delivered wonderful dappled shade. On the other, bright sunshine sparkled in the pool. We wanted to let the sun shine in, while softening the borders and better defining the space inside of the fence. After a bit of thought and discussion with Bill Parker an outline of a plan began to congeal:
remove most of the lawn and strategically site pee-proof shrubs for the dogs
replace old pavers with new stone and create a walkway to the new shed
create curvaceous planting beds filled with trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials to soften the deep rectangular lot
bring life into the space with pollinator and host plants
surround and soften the edges of the pool with delicate plant material
create a private seating area from which to enjoy the space
install a drip irrigation system to help trees get established and to protect their investment
summer 2021 - plant sourcing & design considerations
In anticipation of hardscaping and site prep work that was slated to begin in the fall, Carol and I set out shopping at our New Hampshire wholesale nurseries. We thoughtfully selected plants for their contribution to Carol’s ‘4 season interest’ goal. A few large specimens were selected for their ability to provide instant privacy. A dozen or more dwarf conifers were chosen as fillers and focal points.
Multiple shopping excursions later, many ornamental trees (two dozen or more!) and perennials were sourced. The smaller specimens were immediately brought home so we could set them out in the space to get an idea of an overall design. We relied only on some rough sketches on paper for the ‘design’. We had a basic idea of where each specimen would be placed, and as each tree and plant was selected, the ‘design’ came into focus. As I explained to Carol, ‘the trees will tell us where they want to be’. Carol and Steve dutifully kept a dozen or more ornamental trees and small conifers alive in their containers all through the hot summer. By October, we were ready to get on with the show!
large conifers and deciduous trees being selected:
(click on photos in gallery for a larger view and plant description; click on right of image to advance)
october, 2021 ~ the transformation begins
While Parker Garden set to work removing all the turf and a few tired old trees, including an invasive Pyrus calleryana, Bradford pear, Carol and I continued our shopping trips that had begun in the spring. As our original round of trees was delivered and planted, it became clear that this large space could accommodate a few more large specimens. We needed some hefty conifers and more airy, deciduous components to help define boundaries and create privacy. After our fourth trip to Millican Nurseries, we were finally in good shape. Every tree and shrub was very thoughtfully and intentionally placed to emphasize the curved beds and to create a flow that would draw the visitor deeper into the garden. Shape, form, texture and color were carefully considered and trees were installed in a way that created a natural rhythm: from tall to short, evergreen to deciduous, broad leaf to finely textured.
(click on photos in gallery for a larger view and plant description)
The final trees were installed the first week of November, along with 10 large boulders which serve as focal points in the landscape and contrast with the fine foliage. Carol and I are both ‘rock freaks’, so we had fun with this part! Drip irrigation was installed and a generous layer of composted mulch was applied to all of the planting beds and around all trees. Sod and irrigation were installed to highlight the curvaceous path toward the back of the property. As winter was just around the corner, only a few ornamental grasses and perennials were planted, beginning the process of building layers of texture and interest. By the end of Phase 1, the basic bones were in place and now we just needed things to survive the winter! Carol and Steve could finally let the dogs loose!
Year One: May-October, 2022
In the first full year of the garden, Carol stayed busy filling gaps with more small shrubs and perennials. With excitement she planted nasella grass (formerly called stipa tennuisima), aka ‘Mexican Feather Grass’. We both had grown drumstick allium in pots the previous winter and those were interplanted with the grasses around the pool. They established beautifully, creating a fetching scene along the far curvy corner of the pool. Only one small conifer was a casualty of winter (and possibly the dogs!). Water levels were monitored very closely by Carol and all trees made it through the hot, dry summer of ‘22. Perennials bulked up quickly and by late fall, the garden had achieved the very naturalistic look of a much older garden. It will be fun to see how everything returns in 2023, when hopefully Carol and Steve can put their feet up and relax a bit!
(click on photos in gallery for a larger view and plant description)
