Buckhead Modern Mini-Meadow

THE BRIEF:

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• Modernize the garden and take it from humdrum to colorful and cheerful

• Long summertime blooming plants 

• Increase curb appeal 

• Medium maintenance for a hands on gardener

• Lots of nectar plants for pollinators and spaces for over wintering

• Consideration for heavy mosquito pressure and small children visitors

• Replace and minimize the existing lawn

 

THE FUNCTION

 

To increase the site's usefulness as a habitat year-round, the site includes a large variety of native plant species offering nectar and blooms throughout the year for visiting bees, wasps, and butterflies.  There are 8 kinds of ornamental grasses for overwinter nesting spaces and three season interest. We included native fruit bearing trees for the clients' young children to pick. We carefully sourced drought tolerant shade loving plants and we removed the existing plants that mosquitoes love and added native plants that repel them.

 

THE LOOK

 

We took out all of the old garden but the trees, as it was full of heavy looking shrubs and weeds. The Schizachyrium scoparium meadow area has dots of perennials for color that takes turn popping up for summer. The right side has large blocks of ornamental grasses to add to the contemporary feel. For a cohesive and welcoming look to boost the curb appeal, we used high contrast perennials to balance the high contrast white with black accents home.