~Before I start this post I wanted to let you know about a new blogger I have met named Erin who has a wonderful blog called Wolfpen Gardens. When you have a moment I do hope you will hop on over to say hello and visit her lovely space!
Garden designers will often design gardens with the views from the house in mind. Many designers would say that it's important to have garden views from every window of the house. To some that may seem extreme, but to me it is high on my list of priorities as I continue to create our garden.
An example of this is Designer Eric Groft's beautiful garden project in the Hamptons
Here is a quick recap of what has been accomplished in the front garden. This was our home when we moved in 7 years ago.
I will be updating my plant list for this area in the spring with better photos.
Last year I focused on pulling out grass for an island bed and planting a Redbud Forest Pansy. Several more perennials and grasses went into this sparse bed after this shot was taken to begin to pull the garden down to the sidewalk.
So keeping our view in mind, I sketched a design of where I hope to take this garden. A garden in the round with shrubs, perennials and stone steps down to the sidewalk as we have a slope to contest with.
stone steps to connect to walk
via~Houzz
via~Houzz
a nice assortment of shrubs/layering
via~naturesperspective.com
The biggest upfront challenge will be grass removal and amending the soil. The fun part will be planting. Plant lists for spring are being tucked into my garden books to be reviewed and studied at the end of the day.
One day I will sit in my living room and see green!
Dreaming of spring...Happy weekend folks!
I love the changes in your yard since you moved in and I love your vision.
ReplyDeleteI think the after photos are awesome... it looks like a completely different home full of color and life. You have done amazing work so far! I hope you take photos of your redbud blooming this Spring. I so wish I had one in my garden. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteNicole you are amazing, seriously!!! Your after shot is so beautiful! Wow, you can come landscape my house anytime, you have talent girl! I love it! Living under snow really makes us long for spring doesn't it!
ReplyDeleteSo many pretty and yours is looking lovely also. That is my plane for the year is to spend more time in the garden. I will pop over and look at the other blog now. Have a wonderful weekend. Greenthumb.
ReplyDeleteKeeping garden in our house make us to feel relax. We can pass our time in taking care of the plants. Plants will make the view of our house in a different way how you have focused your house. Happy weekend!!
ReplyDeletelove the sketch! I'm obsessed with the garden following your sketch, very provance... I also the lavender and similar to those short grasses with bits of orange peaking out. so simple and easy to up keep AND no need to replant every year. Looking forward to seeing your progress this spring!
ReplyDeleteYour gardens are going to be very pretty with all the lovely plants and colors that come to life in the Spring.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Mary
Well I sure do think your gardenis wonderfu as it is! But I look forward to seeing you realise it's full potential.. The sketch you made is just darling! I love a big tree in the front yard... Hazel x
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how far your yard has come since you moved in! It all looks so beautiful! I can't wait to see what else you do! Have a great weekend Nicole!
ReplyDeleteWow Nicole, you have made a massive difference to your front garden!! It looks like something from a glossy magazine now, you should be really proud of all your hard work, as I know that it takes a lot to make something as lovely as this! I hope that you get to go outside again soon and do some more as I can tell from all the looking at other gardens that you have been doing that you are missing it! Hope that you have a good weekend. xx (p.s. some gratuitous exclamations just for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) xx
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a gifted gardener. I invite you over at my next house in a few years to help me garden. I have a brown thumb.
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, Your property is beautiful! It's obvious you've put a lot of thought and work into it and it pays off! I hope you and yours are having a good winter. Sally XX
ReplyDeleteI think most of us are so eager for spring this year-I am too for sure- I need to get my veggie seed catalogs out soon and decided what I want-Happy Friday
ReplyDeleteKathy
Nicole, the difference of your house and frontgarden with 7 years ago is amazing. You did a lot of clever garden design and work. I see you planted the Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy', I know this beautiful tree which is rather rare in our country. The quote of G.B.Hinckley is so true.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
Hi Nicole, of my gosh, when I see your before and after photos, what a difference. You have come so far already with the transformation of your front yard. And I am sure with your enthusiasm you will succeed to reach your dream vision of your garden! I like the idea of taking the views from the house into consideration when designing a garden. After all you want to enjoy your garden from the inside, too! Wishing you a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteChristina
What a transformation! Your front yard looks lovely. I have a patch in my front yard where I need to plant something. for now it has nothing growing there. This post is very motivating and a great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIt already looks amazing. I'd say you're headed in the right direction. And you're right, taking out sod SUCKS, but the planting is SO fun. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, the transformation is already amazing. Your yard is so beautiful and I love your approach to the project. That was an interesting article you linked us to. I also love the Gorden B Hinkley quote. Are you LDS?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful improvement!! I bet your neighbors enjoy the view as well. I like that if you plant something in one spot and it doesnt look right, you can always dig it back up and move it to another spot. More snow coming, makes me dream of spring even more!! Have a great weekend, stay warm!
ReplyDeleteWhat you've done to your yard so far is amazing! You're right about the hard work but I find I really enjoy it better when we do the work ourselves. One thing I learned in my master gardener class that I hadn't realized was that our area's (St. Louis) growing idenification (zones) has changed. Be sure you double check your zone in the Chicago area before purchasing any perennials. Also, look at trends for the next 20 years. The forcast for our area in the next 20-25 yrs. is to be warmer and dryer (like East Texas ?!!) We are thinking of building a new, smaller home in a few years and the tree/shrub selection I make will reflect this trend. As I get older, I want LESS work but still lots of color and variety. You have great vision! I always am so inspired by your garden posts!! Enjoy your weekend! Z
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely beautiful Nicole, you are incredibly talented (and clearly very hardworking!) And what a lovely place you live in, the walkway looks enchanting. How nice that it is separated from the road. I'm looking forward to seeing what other changes you make.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, your house has been transformed! I am SO impressed with all of your work and vision. I love the island around the tree...I have been wanting something like that for a l-o-n-g- time, but never find the time in the warm months to work on it. It's also nice to see some pretty, summery photos on this gray, cold day! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be really FAB but I think the choosing and designing is the best part. Someone said 'a garden is never finished' and I think that is true but think of the fun along the way!! Jo x
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. Inspires me to look forward to working in my garden this year!
ReplyDelete~Tanya
Nicole, thank you so much for mentioning my blog!! How sweet of you!!! Now, I need to motivate myself to post!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is amazing for just 7 yrs old!! I love your dreams and plans. My dreams are much like yours.. i want flowers/gardens everywhere!! I
can't wait to play in the dirt again!!
Gorgeous job Nicole! I also love your inspiration photos too! :D I'm looking forward to seeing what new additions you come up with this spring!
ReplyDeleteHugs my dear friend,
Beth P
wow, I'm so impressed with your garden! you're so talented and the space looks so fresh and happy!
ReplyDeleteYou are one talented girl with a very green thumb! Good for you for taking your dreams and turning them into reality!
ReplyDeleteWow a very lovely transformation! I am jealous. I live in the woods, and have sporadic sun...so flowering plants are in pots that I can move around. Thinking spring for sure! Thanks for sharing, Nicole! Have a terrific weekend! Aloha
ReplyDeleteWonderful plans for the garden, I think the hardest part is deciding what we want. You have a stunning garden and your new additions will be glorious!
ReplyDeletePretty plans for your garden, Nicole. BTW--I've been enjoying the Container Gardening book you featured on your blog a few weeks ago--thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is quite a transformation and I can't wait to see what your gardens and yard will look like after you've done some more to it later this year. Very pretty. I would love to be able to garden like that. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Blessings, Bird
ReplyDeleteWow - cant wait to see what its going to look like once you're all done! what a great and gorgeous plan x
ReplyDeleteO wow, how brilliant. Gardens make for such beautiful, uplifting art projects, don't they!
ReplyDeletelove the idea of a garden view from every window...ugh...I have so much work to do!!
ReplyDeleteYour house is so pretty. I love the color you've used on the shutters, it's so much nicer than the original color. You're so talented with gardening! You know exactly what you want to do. I'm really impressed. I don't know much about it and I'm always happy that the previous owners of our house did it all for us because I would be totally lost if I had to plan from scratch.
ReplyDeleteWow, you've done so much work, your garden looks so much more interesting and inviting than when you moved in, i look forward to seeing more updates, x
ReplyDeleteYour front garden is beautiful, Nicole! What a difference! You have a beautiful eye for design and your hard work is paying off in a lovely way. You are an inspiration and I can't wait to see your plans unfold. Hugs, xo Karen
ReplyDeleteThat's such a fascinating insight into how a garden comes together. Your's look pretty great already and I'm sure it'll be even prettier come spring when your flowers blooms. What a lovely treat for both you and your neighbors :)
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
You've already made so much progress, your front garden looks 1000% better. I'm sure with time your vision for your garden will be realized.
ReplyDeleteYou've done a lot of work on your garden already & it's looking great!! Your design is lovely and I think it will really enhance the privacy of your home :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy new week!
Sarah xo
Oh your gardens are looking so lovely. You have really changed the look of the house with your foundation planting and it looks wonderful. The curving bed lines, evergreens for structure and colorful blooms are perfect. It is also fun that you are planning ahead!
ReplyDeleteWow your house and garden is just lovely! What a transformation and great job with the island bed (looks terrific!) We're starting to work on our front garden this year as all home renovation work is finally complete. I might have to turn to you for advice and inspiration one day!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have done so much already, your house and garden looks beautiful!! Love the circular plan and tree choice. Funny, I was thinking of writing a similar post about the plants and trees we have put in over the years. When I looked at our limelight hydrangeas buried with their flower heads peeking out of the snow I started to think about our plants. Amazing to think it will really get green and pretty around here again.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful accomplishments and plans are awesome. Wish you were around to plan mine too. do you enjoy FINE GARDENING magazine. ??? Looks as if you should be doing some articles for them.
ReplyDeleteAhhh Nicole, I've been hiding for a few weeks but I'm back! Kids are back at school, my uni orientation is out of the way and i'm keen to get creative again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog to start that journey at again! Your house is lovely, I love the colours you have chosen and your garden is well on its way to becoming a botanical masterpiece. I can't wait to see more photos as the year unfolds.
Liv x
Your front garden is looking great Nicole! I look forward to seeing what you do this gardening season.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You have done wonders on the yard and home! The home went from a blah exterior to a happy and gorgeous vibe. Great work! I want to teleport you to help me with my yard. Lots of dirt and scrub oak! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever! As Summer blisters on here my garden is in dire need of TLC, I have no idea where to even begin! The transformation of your front garden & home already looks so amazing, I look forward to seeing that beautiful sketch come to life. Belinda x
ReplyDelete