Hopkinton Ready Project - July 2009
Front Yard Face Lift
We concentrated on creating the entrance as a focal point. We re-designed the steps by expanding the width to 12 feet to include areas anchoring the front door for large pots of seasonal flowers. Deep curved steps were implemented to add a different element of design to the traditional rectilinear form. When the focal point is an unusual shape and made of beautiful timeless stone, the effect is magnified, and thus magnificent. These formal steps are dressed up with beautiful mixed bluestone for the landings and field stone for the risers to complement the natural stone used for walls in other parts of the garden.
The extra wide and deep formal steps are given definition by clipped box anchoring the sides and a formal pattern of soft lavender along the path to the front entrance adding another overall element of symmetry to the overall design. Fragrant Lavender ‘Hidcote’ outline the path to the front door providing a fragrant welcome for visitors.
The radiating circular pattern of this boxwood circle establishes a secondary focal point for entrance, path, and garden; and establishes a small area within the grander landscape.
Another key element of the design, the carefully designed circle of pavers reinforced by clipped boxwood provides a center for the garden and a perfect landing for guests to linger and savour the full beauty and fragrance of the plants. The circle serves as a destination at the end of one walk and entrance to another leading to the house. Future plans will include an oversized planter in the center of the circle.
The long paths help to guide and establish the destination and anchor the plantings that flank the path. A cut and clean grid of pavers in soft colors were selected to blend with the bluestone and stone risers. Soft gray, blue and reddish brown pavers are set closely together to create a cobbled appearance with a tumbled finish that resembles natural stone and the contrasting colors are both complementary and interesting adding and contributing to an interesting visual texture.
The pavers are set in a formal pattern creating a path juxtapositioned against the informal garden beds with a curvilinear outline thus creating an underlying sense of balance. The edging pavers outlined against the beds create a neat pattern and keep planting beds from invading the walkway.
Evergreens provide structure and year-round interest. Deeper beds in scale with the house and varied the height of blooms within the beds repeating plants for symmentry and balance and blooms to harmonize with the homes architecture and colors. Complement the homes architecture and colors.
Short dwarf box hedges give the garden structure even when the perennials are not in bloom. Other varieties of boxwood, as well as, evergreen including ‘Percy Wiseman’ Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurel ‘Twenty’ are the evergreen bones of the garden.
They will provide interest during the months when the ornament perennials are not in bloom.
Details in a variety of textures in pavement and planting delicate flowering perennials soften the stone elements. The manicured foliage and soft planting beds create a gracious courtyard garden.
The lovely boxwood hedge embracing the small circle welcomes visitors to the Ready home and establishes a rich, alluring transition from the driveway to the house. The pathway leads to the front door and invites guests to linger.
Rose Double Knock Out ‘Radtko’ will provide beautiful magenta flowers all summer and perennials like Liatris ‘Kobold’ and Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ will continue the color thru the fall. The garden will be made more interesting by the fall planting of winter and spring flowering bulbs, blue irises, and peonies.