My first meeting with the client was unusual. Instead of being excited and full of ideas, they were sad and at a loss. Just one month earlier they had a garden they loved, a mature woodland garden anchored by dozens of mature fir trees. But ice and wind had combined to bring many of the trees down. The ones that didn’t fall were so badly damaged they had to be removed.
What to do with all that space now?
After an initial meeting and a little brainstorming, we decided that the one thing this large family home lacked was a big playable lawn space. We also determined that the pool area needed some shaded gathering space. And, of course, it all needed to beautifully complement the home and the undamaged portions of the landscape.
Just 6 weeks later, with an unexpected opening in our schedule, we started. The lawn area was graded and irrigation was installed. A new Castohn Olympic paver patio went in. The cedar pergola, utilizing Toja Grid hardware, ensured the patio would be shaded. And then a massive plant list, anchored by southern magnolia, crape myrtle, and hydrangea was installed.
So how does the client feel now?
Honestly, they are still grieving their old garden. But they do love the new one. I suspect that over time, as the plantings mature, they will come to appreciate how functional and beautiful the new landscape is.
Before the storm and after the storm:
