Author Archives: creativegarden

Favorite Plant Friday – Redbud

Driving around neighborhoods on these early spring days you may see a small garden tree full of purplish-pink flower on bare branches. This is the Eastern Redbud – Cercis canadensis. It is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows slowly to a mature height of 25′ or so, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens. It requires full sun or part shade conditions and very little maintenance. An added bonus to planting this tree is that it attracts Hummingbirds, giving them the food they need early on in the season.

Cercis canadensis -Eastern Redbud in full bloom

Cercis canadensis -Eastern Redbud in full bloom

Cercis canadensis leaf

Cercis canadensis leaf

After the tiny pea-shaped flowers diminish it produces these almost heart shaped leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another lovely cultivar is the Cercis candensis ‘Forest Pansy’ which boast the same flowers in early spring but, purple leaves.Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy OSU pohoto

 

 

 

 

Cercis Forest Pansy Leaf onlineplantguide

 

 

Landscaping Project 1 - Come On In!

Entertaining Outdoor Style

Gather ’round the dining table or the fireplace, or simply sit back and enjoy the pleasant, colorful and peaceful surroundings. Once barren, this backyard is now THE place to be. Creative Garden Spaces was contracted to create the master garden design including site planning, hardscape recommendations and plant selection.

Using detailed plans, the homeowner completed the project including the building of retaining walls, patios and fireplace.


Project #1: Entertaining Outdoor Style
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Landscape Contractors: Modular Paving Systems and the homeowner

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Landscaping Project 3 - The Great Backyard Makeover

The Great Backyard Makeover

By learning to see the yard as an extension of the home, this once uninviting space was transformed into an ultimate getaway.

The outdoor kitchen area is paired with a covered patio for easy grilling and alfresco dining. Comfortable chairs pulled up to the fireplace invites lively conversation or makes a quiet place for contemplation.


Project #3: The Great Backyard Makeover
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Landscape Contractors: JP Stone Contractors

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Landscaping Project 4 - Year-Round Outdoor Living

Year-Round Outdoor Living

Creative Garden Spaces was hired to create an outdoor living space complete with full kitchen and fireplace. The catch? Stay within the parameters of the existing slate patio and cover the space for year-round use.

A fireplace was positioned to support the outer corner of the space, large beams were installed to support the roof and skylights were added to minimize darkening of the house interior. The kitchen includes a 42″ bbq grill, 24″ griddle, double-sided burners, full size sink plumbed with hot and cold water, a refrigerator and a keg-o-rator. The fireplace and cook island were faced with cultured stone. Concrete countertops top the cook island.


Project #4: Year-Round Outdoor Living
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Landscape Contractors: Cornerstone Hardscapes

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Landscaping Project 5 - Acreage in Transition

Acreage in Transition

Creative Garden Spaces was asked to create new spaces, and to refresh and enhance existing spaces, pulling them together in a way that draws the visitor from one space to another. Bit by bit, the entire acre is being transformed — with planting areas being completed by the owner.

New spaces included the building of a large natural stone fireplace to balance the heaviness of the existing pergola and expansive deck. A 6′ retaining wall with a bench seat that surrounds the spillway was designed around a lion’s head wall fountain to divide the upper and lower yards. Rotten wood steps were replaced with concrete in about the same place, but terraces were added to enable planting areas.


Project #5: Acreage in Transition
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Landscape Contractors: Cornerstone Hardscapes

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Landscaping Project 6 - Lakeside Living

Lakeside Living

Creative Garden Spaces designed and created spaces to reflect the homeowners clean, contemporary style. Plantings were kept to a minimum number of varieties, planted in mass. Large scale pavers maintained the clean look while a low-profile gas fireplace provided an unobstructed view of the lake. The existing large back deck was enhanced by defining “rooms” with creative use of furniture arrangements and containers.


Project #6: Lakeside Living
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Installation By: Tryon Creek Landscapingg

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Landscaping Project 7 - The Magic of Color

The Magic of Color

What began as a “what to plant where” project turned into the reshaping of existing planting beds, removal and transplant of existing plants and a planting plan to fill in.

In addition, Creative Garden Spaces expanded the existing deck and sitting area by installing a slate patio surrounded by plants. A pop of color unites the spaces with comfy furniture cushions and glazed containers.


Project #7: The Magic of Color
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Landscape Contractors: JP Stone Contractors

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Project 8 - Pool Installation: Time for a Swim!

Time for a Swim!

Having a pool presents some security issues. Rather than the typical wood or chainlink fence, Creative Garden Spaces designed a custom lattice fence and arbor that leads guests from the driveway through the side yard and to the pool. Once inside the space, the pool was designed with the minimum amount of pool decking to place more emphasis on the lawn and planting areas. Fast growing trees were added for privacy.


Project #8: Time for a Swim!
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Pool Installation: Neptune Pools
Stonework: Emerald Stone Masonry
Landscape Installation: Terra-Sol and the homeowner

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Landscaping Project 9 - When Every Inch Counts

When Every Inch Counts

With a little ingenuity, a narrow back yard is reworked to fit a fireplace sitting area, an outdoor kitchen and eating area.  Creative Garden Spaces expanded the existing deck to accommodate the cook island to include a 36″ KitchenAid grill, built-in ice chest and sink plumbed with cold water. The soapstone countertop has an etched and fused glass backsplash. Wide stairs lead to the fireplace sitting area on the lower deck which spills out into a planted side yard.

In addition, retaining walls were added to the front yard to ease maintenance, an existing rock and concrete bowl were made into water features and the entry was given a facelift with a new concrete step covered with the same tile as just inside the door. The bed at the front was updated with lush plantings to complement the existing maple and azalea, and a concrete path was replaced with a softer natural stone path. A vegetable garden behind the fireplace, along with trellis’ on each side of the fireplace, complete the plan.


Project #9: When Every Inch Counts
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Landscape Contractors: Cornerstone Hardscapes

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Landscaping Project 10 - Taming the Wild

Taming the Wild

Creative Garden Spaces was contracted to re-design the overgrown garden space, re-work the path surfaces and add a bit of lawn and a fence for the client’s two pugs. The result was a complete overhaul of the landscaped portion of the yard.

Two large trees were removed, several rhododendrons were transplanted and the rest of the perennials were either transplanted or discarded. A significant lawn area was added along with retaining walls and a stone path leading to the crushed rock patio and fire pit area. The fence blends in with the surrounding landscape and style of the home and provides needed security. A wood pergola was added in the BBQ area and downspouts were replaced with rainchains.


Project #10: Taming the Wild
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Installation By: Aspen Creek Landscaping
Fence: Bu-Kai Design

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Project 11 - Wedding Plans

Wedding Plans

An upcoming wedding put this yard re-do on the fast track. Challenges included handling elevation changes, defining large expansive areas and preserving the view.

Creative Garden Spaces expanded the existing stamped concrete patio using pavers that simulate stone. Low walls, pathways and wide stairs traverse the property leading to specifically defined areas. An oval patio served as the place for the wedding ceremony to take place, but easiy converted to a place to relax an enjoy the view. A 6′ fire pit encourages lots of conversation. Low growing plants preserve the view while providing color throughout the season.


Project #11: Wedding Plans
Design: Creative Garden Spaces
Installation By: Aspen Creek Landscaping

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