Suburban Courtyard
The overgrown yard and post construction site left little to be desired. Ivy and euonymus battled it out with one another up the mature trees and over the ground. Existing drainage issues, poor soil, and the construction scars were in dire need of creative solutions. On the plus side, there were many mature trees anxiously waiting to provide shade and character to the space. A formal, Tuscany-ish courtyard with contrasting woodland surrounding was conceptualized. As the clock says on the wall “It’s 5 o’clock” somewhere – This patio is great for parties and family time with it’s large size, circular Oaks Romanesque paver details, and Oaks Colonnade pavers. Drainage is an issue in this neighborhood and yard, so a rain garden was installed which helps to recharge the ground water supply and control erosion. The formal shape and rounded top of the fountain provided the idea for the formal circle details in the pavers, which provide interest on a symmetrical axis for the entire lower patio. To complete the formal pattern of the circles and craft the courtyard feel, the 8’ (at installation) columnar Sky Rocket Junipers were used as the backdrop in a semi circle pattern with a row of Sky Pencil Holly in the lower layer. Both of these very vertical plants created the walls of this space, and subsequently much needed privacy. Before the garden was installed the homeowners had little privacy as their backyard view was directly into their neighbor’s kitchen and garage. The circle details in the pavers are also offset by the random pattern pavers, which were laid at 45 degree angles to help tie in the new garage with the existing house.
The front renovation included removing several evergreens, roses and liriope and adding a Wildfire Black Gum and 3 American Hornbeam in fall 2018. Additional shrubs and perennials were added spring of 2019. Shamrock Inkberry Holly, Little Lime Hydrangeas, Degroot’s Spire Arborvitae, Venus Sweetshrub, Spicebush, native grasses and purplish perennials were among the newly added plants.
Back Completed Fall 2010
Front Completed Spring 2019
The Island, Lexington, KY
Woodland Oasis March/April 2019
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