My husband and I moved into our house late last year. The landscaping was pretty horrendous. a couple of overgrown potentilla and some dying junipers. I saw endless potential for this small city lot! I knew I wanted some cool specimen trees and lots of winter interest. We needed a stone walkway leading to our garage because of how muddy the area got, and some larger beds on either side to lead foot traffic in the right direction.
Then spring came, and I was lucky to get a pot of annuals on my step. I was so busy planning landscapes in the design department that I didn't have time to draw up my own yard. My husband didn't wait for me, he just started ripping and trimming and trying to make our dream yard. Why didn't I just draw up a plan last winter?! He had good intentions, just not a good plan to follow. I ended up drawing quick sketches for him to follow before he destroyed things beyond repair. He was ripping up grass as fast as I could decide where I wanted the edging to be.
We got our stone path laid out and the beds are in. Now I can take a breath and decide what plants I want to put in. This time I'll be sure to have it all drawn up before I bring the plants home, or I might have my shade plants in the hot sun and my tall spruce next to the house! I realized how important a plan is when you have a husband who is ready to work!
Megan Aune
Landscape Designer