Reference

This post provides some images to use while discussing the style of the garden. A formal parterre has been requested. The location, semi wild in the mountains makes me want to include wildflower meadows as well.

The brief asks for a formal garden in a mountain glen setting. There are excellent borrowed views of the surrounding Appalachian mountains. The area is known for its apples and fruit trees. It has slightly colder winters than the flatlands further south.

How does one put a formal boxwood parterre in this country setting without clashing with the neighbors? Consider using plants to screen incongruous views.

A woodland exists on the property. Trails will be added in the future.

Should we celebrate each fruit tree in the orchard with its own boxwood border? Blue flowers that mimic those in this photo are Larkspur, Cornflower, Spanish lavender, salvia.

Gravel Paths or grass?

This grassy meadow with clipped yew is a far more subtle style.

A casual mountain garden.

An Example of a wedding with seats arranged on the lawn in front of the parterre.

Should we consider a pond? fountain? stream? water feature?

Liriope were grown under an orchard. Spanish blue bells look very similar but bloom in the spring.

Trail with inland oats looks like expensive ornamental grass.

Rhus or sumac. Possible screening.

Parterre walkways for a public garden should be wider than for a private one.

The current trend towards wildflower meadows pushes wild beyond what it ever could be alone. With specific plants, some not so wild, the effect of a wildflower meadow is created but in an extraordinary way.

More than wild.

Blues and purples of salvia.

Stipa grasses are used as a backdrop to show off the seedheads in the winter.

Grass pathways.

Notice the wavy tops of the box hedges that mimic waving plants in the wind or mountain tops.