Sometimes I think I must live in Versailles, France.  In my suburban America, shrubs and small trees are trimmed on a regular basis into balls and cones.  Probably this is done to keep the plants in scale to their surroundings.  Sometimes, it looks to be just something to do.  Just like everything else, there is a time when this should be done and a time when it shouldn’t.

I prefer to select plants that fit the site and naturally grow into the desired shape .  When this is done at the design phase, then there is less maintenance required later in life.  Like a conical evergreen?  Select a Blue Point Juniper.  Like a short round evergreen?  Select a Dwarf Yaupon Holly or Carissa Holly.  Like a natural small tree? Select a Yaupon Holly or Crape Myrtle.

Here you can see how natural the setting is when selective plants are allowed to grow in their natural growth habit. Trim plants as needed to accentuate their natural growth habit and to keep them in scale with the surroundings.  The natural forms are wonderful to view throughout the seasons.  This example is of a Deciduous Yaupon Holly.  The berries of these plants are shown in all their glory after the leaves fall off in Autumn and hang on through the winter.

The berries are a draw for birds as they flock to the small trees seeking food.

Now to me, this is more pleasing than viewing a hedge trimmed lollipop shaped Yaupon stuck on the corner of a house looking like it came direct from Versailles.

I was asked to create a meditation garden around a wonderful sculpture for a church in Allen, Texas.  The sculpture is an inspiration.  The surrounding area was not.  I guess that is where I come in.

The grounds behind the sculpture is farm land.  The sides of the statue are framed by buildings.  The space dictated an overall square space but the sculpture is dynamic and called for an asymmetrical design with lots of movement in the plant material.

Here, you can see the area before the installation of the statue.

Based on the client’s desire for a garden with movement to reflect the wind swept clothing and wings in the sculpture, I designed a space with a strong sense of geometry but worked in asymmetrical planting groupings and hardscape.

The selected design fits the space well and incorporates the objectives of the client.

Notice that the hardscape is split into a cresent shape with the left portion being concrete and the right portion being decomposed granite.  The area with the decomposed granite is a more casual space used for sitting and reflecting.  The large tree will provide shade for the sitting area.  The concrete as well as the paver area in front of the statue is to be used for groups to gather.

We implemented phase 1 to much delight of the client and those that visit the space.

With time, the hollies behind the statue will provide a solid screen to block the view behind the statue and create a sense of closure.  Likewise, a Live Oak tree, which can not been seen in this picture, will provide shade for the sitting area.

Additional plantings include Knockout Roses, Salvia, Sedum, Blackeye Susan, and Dwrf Fountain Grass.

It has been an honor to be able to contribute to such an important space for this church