Barriefield Heritage Gardens
We transformed this barren front yard into a lush landscape surrounded by curving herbacious bordersfilled with perennials, evergreens and flowering shrubs.
Since the property containsa beautifully restored heritage building,the roses, peonies, echinacea, wormwood, hydrangeas, lavender and lilacs authentic to the period were chosen as the backbone of the border, as are the specimen maple and crabapple trees.
A soft colour palette of pinks and creams frames and softens the limestone house and flagstone paths.
Pond Makeover
Extensive weed growth, shaggy perennials and dead shrubs had created a"mess" who wished to find a low maintenance way to reclaim their 10 year old pond installation. Earthwerk removed all weeds, dead shrubs and unhealthy perennials. This cleared and simplified the area around the pond in preparation for laying landscape fabric and laying down attractive, weed suppressing bark mulch nuggets. A small number of low maintenance perennials and some annuals were planted for colour and continuity of design. The stone work around the pond was replaced to create a firm foundation for crescents of riverstone, which also act as a weed deterent and provide texture and contrast. A stone stairway and flagstone path were added to improve access to the pond area. Pruning of existing trees and shrubs completed the transformation.
Front Yard Stone Work
This homeowner's downtown front lawn had already been replaced with a large patch of the ground cover periwinkle, and offered an interesting and attractive alternative to grass. But because of competition from massive tree roots, the front edge of the periwinkle bed looked ragged. She wanted a new look that would suit the casual elegance of her home. She also requested replacement of existing gravel and white marble in her driveway with pink granite stones, which harmonized with the warm taupe of her house. Earthwerk removed and recycled the old gravel and white stones, leveled and sloped the driveway for improved drainage, and placed landscape fabric on the driveway area to ensure suppression of weeds, before the pink granite was delivered. We also enlarged the existing fern beds, and created a flagstone area at the front of the periwinkle bed to echo the existing flagstone work. Use of an organic joint compound greatly reduces the growth of weeds between the flagstones. The handbuilt stone wall created a terraced effect and completed the look.
Balance Garden
Filling in an inground pool left this client with a sunny backyard full of weeds. She called Earthwerk to collaborate with her on a design that incorporated her interests in eastern philosophy with her love of colourful flowers and desire for organic vegetables.
After a comprehensive consultation process, Earthwerk created a design on paper that was further modified by client input. The plan incorporated an organic vegetable garden, complete with raised beds and organic straw mulch; perennial flower beds of low maintenance plants such as hostas, peonies, iris, daylilies, lilies and coneflowers; a rock garden; and a shrubbery mulched with bark nuggets. The client wanted a meditative space that included a balance symbol - also known as the yin/yang symbol - to be the focal point of her garden. To address cost and time concerns, the garden was planned in stages: attention was first given to creating the vegetable garden and planting a late crop of tomatoes and herbs. Next the flower beds and rockery were installed; and later a combination of grey beach pebbles and white marble stones provided the contrast contained within the balance symbol. Perennial grasses and evergreens frame the circle, and a bark mulch path meanders through the various garden rooms.
Garden Plan
Earthwerk can create individual site-specific plans with written instructions, for clients who wish to do the work themselves.
Here is an example of a watercolour plan for a country garden.
Flagstone
Flagstone paths and borders provide a longlasting beautiful surface. By using an organic joint compound and stone dust between the stones, we decrease the growth of weeds substantially and improve the path's stability for years to come.
Composters and Fences
Earthwerk designs and builds custom composters and fences to suit your garden decor.
Cards and Photo Images
Earthwerk can reproduce any of its digital garden images on cards, calendars and archival quality paper.
To find out more about garden plans and products
telephone: 613-378-0174
or 613.476.1208
