I recently helped a homeowner along the Randalman Reservoir with the final touches on their new home. Landscaping is always the last thing on the 'to do' list when constructing a new home, but it is just as important as the finishing touches INSIDE the house! Without properly planned and executed landscaping, drainage may not function properly, grass may languish and your home will have an unfinished look.
At the initial meeting, I discussed with the homeowner their needs and goals for the landscaping around their new home. Their goals were to beautify the foundation surrounding the house, and also incorporate an outdoor entertaining area in the back, which faces the reservoir. We decided upon a large patio for entertaining and also a fire pit with a seat wall. From information gathered at that initial meeting, a master plan was created.
Once the plan was finished, the homeowner was able to secure bids to complete the work. They decided on a local Randalman landscape contractor with an excellent reputation. You can see the finished product in the pictures below. The plant materials we incorporated in the front include the following:
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Gulfstream Nandina
Kaleidoscope Abelia
Encore Azalea
Dwarf Burning Bush
Lime Princess Spirea
Fountain Grass
Crimson Queen Japanese Maple
Crape Myrtle
Otto Luyken Laurel
Variegated Liriope
In the backyard, we constructed the fire pit and seat wall out of Belgard retaining wall block. The patio is Belgard Holland Stone. The plantings we incorporated in the backyard included:
Coral Bark Japanese Maple
Encore Azalea
Spreading Cephalotaxus
Autumn Fern
Otto Luyken Laurel
Camellia sasanqua
Limelight Hydrangea
The new outdoor area allows them to further enjoy the screened porch and other areas overlooking Randalman Reservoir.
It all started with a plan-
About the Author:
Lori Hawkins, RLA, ASLA has been a registered landscape architect and active in the landscape design/build industry for over 25 years. For additional inspiring project pictures, design ideas, or great garden gifts, take a look at these websites:
HOUZZ: http://www.houzz.com/pro/hawkinsla/__public
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