VICTORIAN COTTAGE GARDEN — CLEONE

Hired originally to design various methods for screening this adorable Victorian from the highway, it is always a joy to return for the next project and admire the changes these avid gardeners have installed on their own in the meantime.

Only a few yards off the highway they are protected from view by a screen of large native shrubs and a meandering burm planted with small ornamental shrubs, flowing grasses, perennials and old roses. Once the millstone water feature was installed the privacy was complete and the front door was often left open to let in garden fragrances and the splashing sound of the fountain mixed with the twitter of territorial humming birds.

We have since installed two other large plans: 1st, a veggie garden terrace near the kitchen door with a “ruins” look to the retaining wall where culinary herbs mingle with hard-to-find roses and dahlias. 2nd, a multi-level pond inspired by a 2-ton jutting rock that begins the stream with an ethereal waterfall, which spills and splashes over two more elevation drops before coming to rest in a large quiet koi and frog pond.

The owners are dear friends and we look forward to every visit where we always admire each other’s work. They have very clear ideas and we are proud to be able to have brought so many of their dreams to life.