This residence is a beautiful old home in North Asheville.  Since moving to this landmark home, the homeowners have gradually updated their landscaping.  I was asked to help with a garden plan for the sides and back of the home.  And I worked with the homeowners to install these gardens. 

Driveway Bed

The first project was to enhance an existing garden bed along the drive with the objective of creating a screen of the neighbor’s backyard.  I re-designed the bed and used some of the existing plants, such as hosta and hellebore, in new configurations.  An evergreen shrub, Leatherleaf Viburnum, was sited to grow into a screen of the next yard.  The bed was framed with two under story trees, Forest Pansy Redbud and Japanese Snowbell, and a group of 3 Virginia Sweetspire were added for summer bloom and nice fall color. 

West Garden

The next project was the area along the west side of the house.  The goals for this area were to create a garden that offered more interest and attracted butterflies and hummingbirds.  At the top of the garden, the corner of the front and side of the house, was a newly planted Paper Birch.  Behind this we added a native evergreen Inkberry Holly to soften the corner of the two brick walls.  In front of the birch we added a planting of Hummingbird Clethra, which has sweet summer fragrance, and some small ornamental grasses. 

The bed along the side of the house had a random selection of flowers and a massive expanse of creeping phlox covering an old stump.  This bed was cleared of everything except a Crepe Mrytle at the bottom of the garden.  I designed an English-style flower garden for this area and included plants such as Butterfly Bush, Lobelia Cardinalis, Purple Coneflower and more to attract wildlife.  The focal point of this garden is an arrangement of two beautiful blue metal trellises supporting clematis and a double-bowl amethyst birdbath. 

Culinary Herb Garden

To complete this side of the house, I redesigned a small bed at the edge of the driveway.  The homeowners enjoy cooking and entertaining and wanted a spot for culinary herbs.  This bed, although small, offered enough sun and was convenient to the kitchen.  Using extra paving stones from a path project, the bed was sectioned off in a diamond pattern.  This was a nod to the traditional parterre garden, was pretty to look down on from the deck above, and also served to separate the plantings.  A few flowering herbs, such as monarda, coneflower, and nasturtium, were added to the culinary herbs of oregano, thyme, sage, basil and others. 

Whimsical Garden

A design has been completed for other side and back of the house.  This is a garden that will allow the homeowners to express their creative natures and indulge in a little whimsy.  The installation started with a beautiful fence that will enclose the space and serve as a backdrop for their whimsical garden.  Pictures to come!

Driveway Bed - Before

Driveway Bed - After

Top of the West Garden - Before

Top of the West Garden - After

West Flower Garden - Before

West Flower Garden - After

Culinary Herb Garden - Before

Culinary Herb Garden - After

Copyright 2002 Muddy Boots Garden Design