Garden Restoration & Custom Planting Design

Garden Restoration and
Custom Garden Design

When this customer purchased their “forever” home on Silver Lake in Shapleigh, it was clear that the landscape had once been thoughtfully designed—but years of neglect had taken their toll. Our goal was to refresh and restore the property while re-establishing a cohesive, beautiful garden that would thrive for years to come and reflect the homeowners’ lifestyle and memories from past gardens they loved.

Before: Side garden area

Before: Front of the house garden

Front of House: Sunny, Colorful & Cut-Flower Friendly

For the sunny front of the house, the client wanted a vibrant perennial garden that offered long-lasting blooms, low maintenance, and plenty of flowers suitable for cutting and bringing indoors. We also explored the idea of incorporating a climbing perennial to frame the bay window and add vertical interest.

We presented a curated selection of reliable, long-blooming perennials including lavender, yarrow, agastache (hummingbird mint), Japanese anemone, oriental poppy, tall phlox, hardy gladiolus, catmint, sedum, and coneflower, along with climbing options such as roses and clematis.

The final design featured a soft, romantic color palette of pinks and peaches. The homeowners chose climbing roses on either side of the bay window, supported by twin trellises we recommended, creating a stunning focal point for the front elevation. The remaining perennials were layered for continuous seasonal interest, texture, and ease of care—perfect for both outdoor enjoyment and indoor floral arrangements.

Design rendering, before climbing roses were selected.

Planting day, September 2025

Side Yard: Shady & Deer-Resistant

Between existing shrubs along the side of the house, we designed a calm, shade-loving garden that would hold up well to deer pressure. This planting included peonies, two varieties of astilbe, columbine, painted fern, foxglove, masterwort, geranium, and hellebore. The result is a lush yet simple composition that adds depth and charm to an otherwise overlooked area.

Backyard: Familiar Favorites & Flowering Structure

In the partially shaded backyard, the homeowners wanted flowering shrubs and trees reminiscent of those they had enjoyed in a previous home. We selected and installed rose of Sharon, azalea, mountain laurel, oakleaf hydrangea, and—at the client’s request—a white lilac. A flowering dogwood tree was added to anchor the space and provide graceful spring interest.

The Result

All plantings were installed in September 2025, allowing for strong root establishment ahead of the following growing season. The homeowners were thrilled with the transformation—from a neglected landscape to a thoughtfully designed, personal garden that blends beauty, memory, and functionality throughout the property.