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Stately Symmetrical Garden With Fanciful English Details

From: Nilsen Landscape Design

From a custom-built arched entryway and pergola to a Gaelic obelisk, oversized chess board and deciduous hedges that spirit away the outside world, every corner of this delightful outdoor space has an embellishment that makes it feel magical.

View of Garden and Chessboard From Above

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Overhead View of Garden to the Southwest

In this view from the home's second floor, you get a great sense of the geometry of the garden. The circular paver pathway that connects the driveway and garden gate to the patio area, the chessboard in the corner, and the rear gravel pathway that connects the back corner with the vegetable garden.

Outdoor Chessboard Surrounded By Arborvitae

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Outdoor Paver Chessboard

A chessboard with square pavers, mixing bluestone and limestone to create a difference in color. Two benches are sited in the corner to create a place for players to sit while they contemplate their next move. A neighbor's garage was screened from the scene with a row of large Arborvitae.

Garden Viewed Through Pergola and Open Gate

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Garden Gate and Pergola Leading to Garden

This custom fence, pergola and gate create a stunning entrance from this home's driveway to the garden. The arbor provides a structure up which roses will grow. The client's sculpture, a Gaelic obelisk is located directly in the center of the path and draws you into the garden.

Hydrangea and Boxwood Surrounding Obelisk

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Obelisk Garden With Hydrangea and Boxwood

This photo shows the lush planting of Liriope at the base of the obelisk and four Hydrangea in tree form at each corner of the garden area. The outside edge of the circular pathway is lined with low boxwood shrubs to create a year-round structure and interest.

Flowers in Garden Surrounding Obelisk

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Obelisk In Garden Surrounded by Flowers

A Gaelic obelisk was carved by the homeowners' friend and artist Karin Stanley. It was given a prominent location in the garden, marking an axis of circulation and it creates a real focal point. This sculpture is placed at an axis of the garden where sightlines cross.

Overhead View of Raised Bed Garden and Patio

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Garden and Patio Viewed From Above

View taken from the second floor of the home showing a great view of the garden to the southeast corner. The vegetable garden area is separated by a large granite block wall which creates a border and extra seating at the lounge patio. The Hornbeam hedge around the corner provides privacy to the garden.

Raised Bed Vegetable Garden With Sculpture

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Sculpture in Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

The vegetable garden area features four large L-shaped raised cedar beds. These are set on a bed of pea gravel to keep down weeds and allow for easy access between beds. In the center of the four beds is a drill bit sculpture set on a granite pedestal, the sculpture was created by the owners' son.

Sculpture In Center of Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Raised Bed Vegetable Garden With Garden Sculpture

A view of the raised bed vegetable garden toward the property line. The gravel area is bordered by granite curbing which keeps the gravel tidy and from spreading everywhere. When using gravel you do need some solid edging to keep it all in place and prevent erosion.

Garden Patio With Dining Table and Chairs

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Outdoor Dining Area on Patio in Garden

An existing Dogwood tree is left in place and creates a beautiful canopy over a patio dining area. Small lights are strung around the tree for a beautiful effect at night. A small semi circle in the patio allows the root zone of the existing tree to be undisturbed.

Custom Iron Fence and Lush Landscaping at Stately Home

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Stately Home With Custom Iron Fence

A new walkway intersects the existing brick walkway to connect the driveway and side yard of this stately home. A custom iron fence was designed with details echoing the front door sidelights. A lush plant design includes a mix of evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, perennials and ground covers to create year-round interest.

Lush Landscaping Surrounding Front Entry Steps

Photo: Rosemary Fletcher Photography. From: Nilsen Landscape Design

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Front Entry With Steps and Lush Landscaping

A lush planting plan mixes evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, perennials and ground covers to create year-round entrance in this front garden. The home is formal and symmetric, so the planting plan is also symmetric. The foundation planting plan is layered to include larger shrubs in the background and smaller shrubs and perennials up front.

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