Project Portfolio

Residential project in Peterborough, New Hampshire 

Started in May 2023

• Our tasks were to soften the approach to the house while also reducing lawn and adding ecological diversity.
• We began by removing lawn and adding a shrub layer for structure.  Some of the species used were sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina), coastal sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), inkberry (Ilex glabra)  and shrubby St. John's wort (Hypericum prolificum).
• Spring of '24 we began adding perennials, using a combination of plugs and gallon size plants to begin filling this large garden.  Due to the diverse landscape featuring a high and dry side and a low wetland area we were able to use a wide variety of native species.
• Perennial species used includes foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), narrowleaf mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), coreopsis 'Zagreb' (Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb'), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), showy goldernrod (Solidago speciosa) and little bluestem 'Standing Ovation' (Schizachyrium scoparium).
• We made some visits in '25 to check on plants and discuss garden management with the homeowners. 

Residential home in Rindge, New Hampshire 

Started in July 2024

• Project began with the removal of lawn by sheet mulching and machine.
• The objective was to entirely eliminate the lawn and add as much biodiversity as possible, primarily using perennials, as the site is mostly leach field.  Our aim as always is to create a low maintenance densely planted landscape that in time will fill in and reduce weed pressure while retaining moisture. 
• We designed our garden to compliment a large structure called "the Vessel" which is a beautiful clay vessel created by ceramic artist Stephen Procter here at www.stephenprocter.com.  Two more have been added since!
• We added a native hedgerow along the property edge that includes nannyberry viburnum (Viburnum lentago), common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance'  (Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance'), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), hybrid hazelnuts (Corylus x) and pawpaws (Asimina triloba).
• Perennial species used include anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), lance-leaved coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), self-heal 'Magdalena' (Prunella vulgaris 'Magdalena'), wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium) and foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis).
• One of the more fun tasks of this project has been the growing pathway that continues to evolve and allows one to meander through the gardens with ease.
• We look forward to watching this project really begin to flourish this coming summer as we begin the next phase in the backyard.

Residential home in Jaffrey, New Hampshire

Started in May 2022

• What was originally planned as a part shade understory design quickly changed after we lost three mature River Birch (Betula nigra) to an ice storm winter'23
• We made some changes on species that we knew could not handle the change in light, but left the bulk as a test to see how they would do.
• After the initial planting we focused on sun loving and dry tolerant species which included Hairy beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus),  Slender leaf mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa),Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium).
• We installed a good selection of shrubs and trees that are adding structure and habitat throughout the season. Two smaller tree species that were planted were Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) and Eastern Red Bud (Cercis canadensis). The shrub layer consists of Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice'), Winterthur viburnum (Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur'), Dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) and Oak Leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
• This garden has performed extremely well with minimal maintenance or attention. We occasionally come through to thin perennials like Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) which is a wonderful example of how a "green mulch" works.

Residential home in Keene, New Hampshire

Started in September  2025

• This project is a complete restoration job of what was once a tennis court. Step one was removing of base layer of gravel which was repurposed for an on site access driveway.
• We did bring in loam for this project and moved large stones from the property and added them as focal points throughout the new garden.
• We then began planting a mix of plugs and quart size perennials to begin the design layout . Some of the perennials used were purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis), Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum), Sneezeweed (Helenium 'Helena Red Shades'), Dense Blazing star (Liatris spicata) and Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
• Early on this was going to be primarily a perennial bed but as we progressed we have decided to bring in some trees and shrubs too. Some of the selections include Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird'), Spring Glory Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis 'Spring Glory') and Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)
• Late season '25  large sections of bluestone were set in place to finish off the pathways.
• We will spend time spring '26 adding more perennials throughout this garden and look forward to this space becoming a sanctuary where insects, wildlife and humans can share in the beauty of this habitat.