Formal Meets Natural

Bedford Corners, NY

This property had a solid foundation of landscape architecture — a series of terraces had been constructed to navigate the backyard slope.

The planting, however, was exotic and ecologically void. GJLD designed a naturalistic, native-dominant planting to soften the existing hardscape and create much-needed habitat. The planting composition transitions from a more formal entry courtyard to a biodiverse, soil-stabilizing planting on the slope. Gathering areas – the pergola and patio – were planted with high-impact, low-maintenance plants for all season beauty. Read more about the project on our blog.

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Project-specific

Highlights

  • Naturalistic plantings soften extensive hardscape while preventing erosion.
  • Garden style matches zone function: from formal to wild, front yard to backyard.
  • Framing entertaining areas with nature-inspired plantings creates an inviting space.
Formal Meets Natural – Master Design Plan

In the words of the client:

After reading glowing reviews and scrolling through his beautiful portfolio of projects completed, we enthusiastically entrusted Jay with the task of re-imagining and re-designing our overgrown, weedy, partially rocky, terraced, hillside landscape. Without being daunted by these challenges, Jay and Uziel aptly named our project, “Up on the Hill, Through the Looking Glass,” and proceeded to create a stunning natural landscape, filled with the most lovely native plants and pollinators, which can be seen through our wall of windows. Watching Jay “hands on” rummage through existing plant material to eliminate aggressive weeds/vines and preserve, divide, and relocate salvageable plant material, was impressive. Although they had designed a formal plan for this area, Jay and Uziel’s decisions on how to blend the selection of new flowers and grasses with salvaged plant material, seemed instinctive. After working with Jay and Uziel, we have become more appreciative of the value of often overlooked native flowers and of the subtle beauty of these flowers when planted in combination. Jay was passionate about our project and determined to achieve a healthy native garden environment; a mini ecosystem. He has returned several times to check on the garden’s progress. It’s been about a month since our project was completed, and we are surprised and delighted everyday by new blooms and by the array of birds and butterflies that frequent our garden. Without hesitation, we recommend Green Jay Landscape Design.

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