AFTER: We loved the openness of the clients and their excitement in using a mix of our favorite native heavy ix shade plants such as Barrenwort, Cinnamon Ferns, and native Columbine, while combining some of their special requests: Trillium, Hydrangea and multi-stem Dogwood Trees.

BEFORE: The landscaping needed improvement to align with Frick's natural beauty, while also ensuring that the vegetation wouldn't be appetizing to the local deer inhabitants.

— CARRIAGE—

community garden redesign + pollinator zone + installation + uncovering tufa stone

Regent Square, PA / 2022

Project goals: Townhome owners/neighbors shared this lovely space adjacent to Frick Park and were looking for an upgrade that would include plants reflective of the park's natural woodland area but would also have a mix of colorful pollinator-friendly perennials to attract birds and insects.

Challenges: Everything needed to be deer resistant, and very low management needs. Did I mention this property is essentially the backside of Frick Park, one of the largest public parks in the city? No deer? No problem.

Added bonus: While removing/replacing the existing dead soil (we filled a 10-yard dumpster!) we discovered several fantastic and intact Tufa Stone buried in the garden which we recycled into cool, natural rock outcroppings throughout the new garden and planted Joe Pye weed around them. Were the stones remnants of the famous Twin Tufa bridges in Frick Park? We don't know, but we loved incorporating them into our new design.

Plant palette: Mountain Mint, Bee Balm, Lungwort, St. Johns Wort, Chokecherry, Winterberry Holly, Hellebore, Joe Pye Weed, Foam Flower, Penstemon, Fothergilla and a mixture of Spring bulbs, giving the garden dynamic layers of multi-seasonal color, texture, and height.