Rhododendron ‘English Roseum’ flank the property entrance, and terra-cotta pots, planted with Agave americana, draw the eye through a gravel driveway. The driveway, with central blocks of lawn, is bordered with drought-tolerant perennials making this a colorful welcome upon arrival.
The vegetable garden reflects the marriage of aesthetics and productivity where the soil is lovingly tended. An organic and sustainable production of vegetables, herbs and cut flowers are grown and all enclosed by a green hedge of Fagus sylvatica. The wood structure adds an element of architecture to this space and is a caged environment for growing fruits.
Color is prevalent even in the large edible garden, and a variety of crops include broccoli ‘Arcadia’; a mixed summer harvest; butterhead lettuce ‘Sylvesta’; pepper ‘Firecracker’; tomato ‘Black Zebra’; a plant-protecting bamboo cloche and a terra-cotta rhubarb forcer; tomato ‘Dark Cherry’; pepper ‘Hungarian Hot Wax’ and potato ‘Red harvest’; cabbage ‘Ruby Ball’.
The garden reflects a unique vision—the intersection of nature and art—and provides a healthy habitat for a wide variety of plants and wildlife. Serpentine and curved hedges of Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ provide a framework for a four-season garden and large swaths of herbaceous borders.
Beyond the circular hedge is the modern structure that is the chicken coop. The pathway, another sinuous gesture, leads to Green Apple by Lisa Pappon.
Minor works of land sculpting allow works of art to sit in slightly exaggerated spaces. By incorporating sculpture, the overall design concept is transformed, and the experiential quality of the spaces is enhanced. Brave New World by Rick Kirby nestles into the space formed by a circular Carpinus hedge.
This garden is a suburban model of responsible horticulture and gives a connection with the natural world. James Doyle keeps bees in the sanctuary of the garden and understands the important role that bees play.
Beehives are regularly inspected during the warm months to ensure that the colonies are staying healthy and growing.
The flock of hens and a happy rooster roam the garden.
A swimming pool and water feature garden sit at the rear of the house. An aubergine bistro table and chairs by Fermob allow for a relaxing poolside moment. Three fountains add to the tranquility of the space with a striking backdrop of espaliered Tilia cordata trees.
Large herbaceous borders mark the transition to the vegetable garden. Bold architectural perennials such as Onopordum acanthium, Phlomis tuberosa and Persicaria polymorpha contrast against the tranquil swimming pool.
Monarch butterflies on blooming Liatris pycnostachya; Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’; Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eiler’; Dahlia ‘Stillwater Raspberry’; Centaurea montana ‘Black Sprite’; Onopordum acanthium; Phlomis tuberosa ‘Amazone’; Astrantia major ssp. involucrata ‘Shaggy’; a hummingbird on Kniphofia linearifolia.