Soften the edges of bold architecture using textural plants and a mix of interesting hardscape materials
This forward-looking Seattle home was work up on a bluff overlook Puget Sound in Zone 8b . When I first took on the project , the steel - and - glass house stood on a grunge - and - gravel work internet site . I was inspire by the contemporary lines of the home , the view of the metropolis skyline , and the dynamical activity of the harbor below . The homeowners wanted a modernistic landscape painting design that would look good with their house , but it was also manifest that the strong lines and angles of this home needed some cushion to balance out the look of the property . This web site is also at the edge of a steep slope leave down to the water , which is one of Seattle ’s environmentally critical areas ( ECAs ) and therefore had extra regulations necessitate in build around it . Designing a garden with these requirements was a challenge , but the combination of lavish planting and innovative hardscape elements ply dynamic accent that solve with and moderate the sleek lines of the home , bolster it and let it shine .
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Planting Plan for a Stunning Modern Garden
Textured Plants that slip the Show
Groupings of textured plants tone down sharp angles
The hardscaping component selected for this space complement the advanced , angular look of the house . Many of those angles are severe . They are play up by plants with standout shape , while fine - textured plants innovate contrast . repeat of key plants throughout the garden , include ‘ Sky Pencil ’ Japanese Buddy Holly ( Ilexcrenata‘Sky Pencil ’ , Zones 5–9 ) and ‘ Elijah Blue ’ blue fescue ( Festucaglauca‘Elijah Blue ’ , Zones 4–8 ) , tot up bodily structure to the beds and serves to take the eye around the small space . All of the plants in this garden needed to be drouth and wind large-minded . While there are a few flowering plants , they are not the direction of the design . alternatively , colorful foliage steals the show .
Providing an accessible, private layout with restrictions in mind
This location proved to be a challenging one for building a garden , as it is locate on a windy site next to Puget Sound and was subject to additional environmental regulation . Deep sword pilings reinforce the extortionate slope that leads down to the harbor . Retaining walls incorporating steel plantation owner were installed above to furnish secrecy along the garden border . Several paths made of precast pavers head visitors through the garden and to a side court and a backyard complete with a seat area and open fireplace . The garden provides privateness but still feel like an open quad .
A.Front gardensB.Permeable drivewayC.EntrywayD. CourtyardE.Bamboo plantersF.Side pathG.Seating area and firepitH.Retaining paries and steel planters
Raised beds were add at the front of the household , and selected aboriginal plants such as Kelsey ’s midget redtwig dogwood ( Cornussericea‘Kelseyi ’ , Zones 2–8 ) and fine - textured gentle rush ( Juncus effusus , Zones 4–9 ) were incorporated into the concrete planters , along with a feathery ‘ Firefly ’ heather ( Callunavulgaris‘Firefly ’ , zona 4–8 ) . These works were included because of their leeway of extreme conditions , their interesting textures , and their ability to provide efficient stormwater moderation and infiltration .
The entree compound more lush texture , include grey - green ‘ Elijah Blue ’ blue fescue and contrasting bronzy leatherleaf sedge ( Carexbuchananii , Zones 6–9 ) and orange New Zealand sedge . All of these plants have a grassy spirit . Their soft textures are cancel by the bold forms and texture of bush such as privet honeysuckle ( Lonicerapileata , Zones 6–8 ) and ‘ Georgia Petite ’ Amerind haw ( Rhaphiolepis×delacourii‘Georgia Petite ’ , Zones 8–10 ) . The paver walkway leading to the menage is lined with reddish decorative grasses that reprize the warm tones found in the blade star sign siding and the bronzy sedges .
Beyond the entryway , a side path connects the front and back gardens . This way of life is sprinkled with bed of chartreuse variegated purple moor supergrass ( Moliniacaeruleasubsp.caerulea‘Variegata ’ , Zones 4–9 ) and ‘ Lemon - Lime ’ celestial bamboo . The grassy leafage of these spilling plants sum a soften force to the concrete pavers and Mexican pebbles that make up the side path . These superimposed plants are anchored by bold ones with potent vertical forms such as ‘ Sky Pencil ’ Japanese holly , ‘ Green Spire ’ euonymus ( Euonymusjaponicus‘Green Spire ’ ) , and ‘ Midwinter Fire ’ bloodtwig dogwood ( Cornussanguinea‘Midwinter attack ’ , zone 5–8 ) that tot up height and dimension to the space .
Corten steel planter dominate the back border . They also take an array of dissimilar textures , including the bold , across-the-board leaf of ‘ Rainbow Sunrise ’ New Zealand flax and the finer foliage of Beyond Blue ® blue fescue ( Festucaglauca‘Casca11 ’ , Zones 4–9 ) and ‘ Aureola ’ Nipponese wood grass ( Hakonechloamacra‘Aureola ’ , Zones 5–9 ) . These plants put up a mellowing effect to the coarse lines of the steel planters .
Mix hardscaping styles and materials to provide balance in modern landscape design
The chief destination of the homeowners was to create a welcoming entree and a relaxed landscape to work with the home ’s steel features . The front pace require the function of concrete bioretention planter and a pervious drive to create proper drainage and repress the stormwater impact for the entire site . The homeowners also wanted to screen the neighbors ’ yard , add retain walls to skirt the steep side in the backyard , and integrate an outside space for a firepit and chairs .
Much of the hardscaping complements the look of the firm , which has bluff , angular lines and a mix of contrasting colors , such as light gray , bronze , and brown . Precast light grey-haired rectangular concrete pavers echo the sleek horizontal job of the home and the bold concrete wall used in the front of the star sign . These pavers appear in the entryway and along the side path leading to the back garden . Black Mexican pebbles placed around and between the pavers provide direct contrast and echo the black trim of the house .
Square pavers are used in the rear of the house and can cast blue in the lustrous sunshine . To cushion the rough angles , whimsical spheres of Scotch moss ( Sagina subulata‘Aurea ’ , zone 4–8 ) were planted between these pavers , which fill the path precede to the firepit . The way of life also heightens the impact of the firepit place , pull attending to the leaf - filled plantation owner and joining it with the view of downtown Seattle and the Cascade Mountains beyond . As a contrast to the bolder aspects of the hardscaping , loose crushed rock is used for a more informal , soft look in the courtyard and the backyard surrounding the firepit .
Keep the layout open and airy while still providing privacy
The home sit on a small-scale metropolis heap , but there is plenty of privacy provide through the garden . The courtyard is butt with a steel planter filled with fortunate bamboo , which provides screening , texture , and a gentle sound as it moves in the cinch . This plant make a utter screen , while its fine texture seduce the blank seem more open rather than closed off . Several levy layer and hold back wall add structure to the property and supply further privateness .
In the backyard near the firepit , wooden wall along the side of the house and garden are bordered by enceinte supergrass and woodies such as sasanqua camellia ( Camelliasasanqua , Zones 7–9 ) and dwarf eastern white pine ( Pinusstrobus‘Nana ’ , Zones 3–9 ) , which soften the inclemency of the walls . The backyard brand plantation owner make a brim around the back of the garden that mark the talkative aspect , allow viewers to look over them into the haven beyond . Visitors can enjoy being powerful on the piddle while still shielded from passer by . Vibrant works such as ‘ Grace Ward ’ lithodora ( Lithodora diffusa‘Grace Ward ’ , Zones 6–9 ) spill over the bound of the planter to create an even more relaxed feel . Meanwhile , ‘ Karl Foerster ’ feather reed grass ( Calamagrostis×acutiflora‘Karl Foerster ’ , Zones 5–9 ) and textural evergreen plant compose the edges of the back garden . While they sway in the breeze , they oblige visitors to stay a little snatch longer .
This home and garden make a prominent argument in the beachy microclimate of West Seattle . The structural hardscape complement the home while flowing textured plants move beautifully in the breaking wind . Together they supply a good sense of peace and calm on this hillside refuge across the seaport from the bustling city .
Basics
How to Contain Bamboo
Golden bamboo ( Phyllostachysaurea , Zones 7–11 ) provide an attractive privacy screen in this garden . A rhizomatous plant life , it is well suitable for hedges or for use as a specimen plant because of its dim branches of evergreen plant foliage . plant it in steel containers has a dual design : The modern-day style adds a bluff emphasis , and it foreclose the plant from spreading into unwanted places . Here are a few hint for mature and containing bamboo in an attractive way :
Robin Parsons is a member of APLD and the owner and operator of Spring Greenworks , LLC , a landscape design company based in Seattle .
Photos , except where noted : doreenwynja.com
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For this house, bold is an understatement.The homeowners wanted a garden that would complement their modern home while adding some contrast. This design relies on textured plants and interesting hardscaping that enhance the modern vibe while also helping temper it just a bit.
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Site plan: courtesy of Robin Parsons
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Site plan: courtesy of Robin Parsons
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Bold forms and fine textures make a dynamic display.In the entryway, structural privet honeysuckle and ‘Georgia Petite’ Indian hawthorn contrast with grassy plants such as ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass and Orange New Zealand sedge (top). Closer to the house, the bold vertical forms of ‘Sky Pencil’ Japanese holly tower above the fine-textured ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (above).
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This vibrant plant has multiple functions.Orange New Zealand sedge not only provides a fine, grassy texture to soften bold hardscaping, but its bronzy color complements the corten steel walls of the house and contrasts with the blue and green foliage of the other plants in the garden.
Stark gray concrete makes a statement.Various walls and raised beds are made out of concrete, which echoes the bold lines and coloring of the modern home. They are offset by softer hardscaping, like the Mexican pebbles and sand-colored gravel.
Gravel provides a welcome contrast to bold edges.This sandy-colored peastone is just what the courtyard needs, providing a relaxed feeling to soften the effect of the steel planter and concrete pavers.
This pathway fits right into a modern aesthetic.The gray concrete pavers that make up the path in the entryway and along the side of the house were selected to mirror the colors and rectangular angles of the modern home. Black pebbles fill in the spaces around then pavers and soften their edges.
Privacy does not sacrifice the expansive view.These corten steel planters were installed above reinforced steel pilings that stabilize the steep slope leading to the water. They provide seclusion from the harbor but are low enough that you can look over them to the skyline in the distance.
Attractive walls shield the backyard from neighbors.The backyard is framed by wooden screen panels to provide privacy. They act as a backdrop for ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass and glossy evergreens such as sasanqua camellia.
Illustration: Savannah Gallagher
