The photos below show just one part of a multi-phase project that we think is fast becoming our best garden so far. Our goal for this entry garden was to create a serene, simple design that allows focus on the beautiful trunks of the Oregon White Oaks and the clean, contemporary lines of the house and entryway. From the driveway, visitors pass from a bold, colorful street planting, through hedge of golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) into a quiet, sweeping, sword fern garden, with a few small trees and some Fargesia rufa, a clumping bamboo. Our favorite hardscape feature of the garden may be our drystack stone wall along the driveway (see a slideshow of its construction here). An ipe deck and boardwalk float over the fern garden, past a huge basalt bowl, to the front door. While other areas of the garden feature diverse plantings and bold foliage, this garden focuses on the essentials. Although, this garden is largely a passageway, as opposed to an area to entertain, it seems to have a profound effect on visitors. Rather than rushing through the garden, the simple design encourages people to pause for a moment and enjoy a quiet moment, appreciating the view.

This is another garden that will be included on next June's Study Weekend tour. For more information, stay tuned here or contact the WVHPG.