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.