Location: New England Area
Project: Complete Historical Make Over.
Objective: Create a period theme in a wooded lot setting supporting
a reconstructed historical home.
Historical Integrity: Most new homes
are built from new materials and new products, this
home was dismantled piece by piece from an old historical
home, fumigated to kill off any pest and then reassembled
on a rustic wooded lot. Nestled on a wooded area, this
project had all the challenges a landscape architect
would desire. We wanted the outdoor elements to compliment
the historical theme.
Site Challenges: A sudden drop in elevation along
one side of the driveway and a ledge protruding out of the ground presented
significant grading problems. A newly installed septic system and the
preservation of established trees would limit our access for landscape
construction. 
Hard Scape : A mason retaining wall
was constructed to stabilize and adjust the slope before
grading work could begin. After the walls we implemented
the crews began to sub grade the entire area. This included
preparation for the softscape and hardscape.
For the patio hardscape areas we added 12 inches of
crushed stone gravel with 3 inches of stone dust. The
base would be properly compacted. To reconstruct the
authentic historical period we used antique cobblestone
for bordering the planting beds. Natural fieldstone
rocks were placed in the turf for the walkway. We used
the same kind of natural stone for our steps which would
lead to the front and back entry.
Client Preferences: Our client wanted
a theme garden with color that would compliment the
historical home. Traditional plants, groundcover and
perennials were utilized and native flagging stone was
used as steppers. A cobblestone border was used to outline
some of the planting beds.
A well planned patio/kitchen garden was incorporated
off the back door entrance. As you leave the back door
you would pass along side the herb garden and then along
the bluestone steppers. The walkway would continue through
the perennial gardens to driveway area.
Soft Scapes: Our extensive experience
with softscape enabled us to layout the perennial groundcover
and planting beds to maintain an accurate historical
setting. The utilization of native plants indigenous
to the area would create a serene and colorful landscape.
The planting beds were dug out 24 inches and replaced
with amended loam. The lawn areas needed 6 inches of
screened loam to support a healthy root system. This
process would insure a healthy and vigorous growth providing
a lifetime of enjoyment.
