Featured Gardens Portfolio
creating a greater network for us to live to live with nature
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Evanston, Illinois (2017 to date)
New Construction managed all rain water on the property and assisted in achieving LEED Platinum status!
BEFORE WORK:
Entrance under construction (above)
The owner of this new construction property wanted us to collaborate with the architect and the builder to create a landscape for the bees and to manage the water on-site. we achieved 90% native plantings. In this way we could utilize our design to help the building to achieve LEED Platinum status! Mission accomplished.
We needed to rebuild the soils which we achieved using Leaf mulch in the first 2 years, and after year two, by simply chopping and dropping plant material in the beds in late spring to minimize harm to the insects over-wintering there.
Parkway Before
Backyard Before
THE PROCESS:
Meeting with the Client, Architect, Interior Designer & Builder to brainstorm for best results. Collaboration is key to successful projects.
Rain water management plan outlined
Ideas then translated to engineering grading drawing for elevations and final grade permitting.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONTINUES - INSTALLATION:
Infrastructure first - Managing water from the Northwest Corner of the house.
Below - Installed 2 Cultec Rechargers
Next up for installation the hardscape is set in place prior to grade.
Below is the back pervious set paver patio and protective grade wall to protect existing on site Blue Spruce that the client wanted to save.
After grade was complete and shrubs introduced in the fall, we finalized the perennial plantings in spring.
During planting we were gifted with a substantial rain event and all settled as planned.
The entrance presently has more non-natives than we would plant today, having learned what we have about natives.
Bee Bop Beebalm, Butterflyweed Black-eyed Susans and Joe-Pyeweed in summer.
Spring in the Brome Sedge Meadow.
Summer in the Northern Rain Garden in the back yard.
BEFORE WORK:
Entrance under construction (above)The owner of this new construction property wanted us to collaborate with the architect and the builder to create a landscape for the bees and to manage the water on-site. we achieved 90% native plantings. In this way we could utilize our design to help the building to achieve LEED Platinum status! Mission accomplished.
We needed to rebuild the soils which we achieved using Leaf mulch in the first 2 years, and after year two, by simply chopping and dropping plant material in the beds in late spring to minimize harm to the insects over-wintering there.
Parkway BeforeBackyard BeforeTHE PROCESS:
Meeting with the Client, Architect, Interior Designer & Builder to brainstorm for best results. Collaboration is key to successful projects.Rain water management plan outlinedIdeas then translated to engineering grading drawing for elevations and final grade permitting.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONTINUES - INSTALLATION:
Infrastructure first - Managing water from the Northwest Corner of the house.
Below - Installed 2 Cultec Rechargers
Next up for installation the hardscape is set in place prior to grade.
Below is the back pervious set paver patio and protective grade wall to protect existing on site Blue Spruce that the client wanted to save.
After grade was complete and shrubs introduced in the fall, we finalized the perennial plantings in spring.
During planting we were gifted with a substantial rain event and all settled as planned.
Front Rain Garden (above) two of three Rain Gardens in the back (below)
THE FINAL RESULTS:
The overall affect was achieved! Bees and other insects and birds are regular visitors to the garden as well as the neighbors and passersby who often stop to thank my client for the beauty she has brought to the neighborhood. And the city added a Yellow-wood a couple years ago to enhance the property and serve nature!
The entrance presently has more non-natives than we would plant today, having learned what we have about natives. Bee Bop Beebalm, Butterflyweed Black-eyed Susans and Joe-Pyeweed in summer.
Spring in the Brome Sedge Meadow.
Summer in the Northern Rain Garden in the back yard.