Gardens by Silo - The Hillsdale Residence

The north border of the property with mature Eastern White Pines.

The Hillsdale Residence is located Hillsdale, New York at about 12 acres of gorgeous woodlands.

CHALLENGE

The owner had submitted a proposal for a solar array, and needed a plan to show the Town Board for approval. After the site visit three key wants were identified:

• Improve privacy to neighbors on the north border, blocking the view of owner's solar arrays
• A low maintenance approach to plant care
• Anticipate deer pressure on the landscape

To improve the privacy, I chose to take advantage of the extra buffer that the (future) access path offers. There are 3 – 4 sweet birch trees aligned parallel with the path, forming the basis for an additional ‘visual barrier’. The plan builds on this idea, coupled with inter-planting in the existing woodland border.

Low maintenance gardens do require some work; in this case watering newly planted trees and shrubs weekly until they are well established. After they are established, watering may be needed in severe droughts. Observation will tell.

The site is a fence-less woodland setting, open to deer to enter and browse. They form the landscape by browsing ground covers, shrubs and small trees, including saplings, often leaving a forest with only mature tall specimens remaining. To increase new plant survival, I recommend protecting new plantings with wire cages the first few years. Even plants known as ‘deer resistant’ are vulnerable to browsing when they are young and small – a few bites can stump the growth and set back the plant years. Once they are larger however, a few bites will not have the same effect. The plant selection will be made with deer resistance as a top priority.

I always aim to use native plants, but, as our zones are changing, I also attempt to choose climate change resilient plants.

Initially we take stock of the property as it currently is, annotating every important structure and plant.

First, we have to understand what conditions we are dealing with. I do a site visit and gather data and information. If needed, soil tests are taken.

The landscape plan is a sketch ironing out the general idea. It tackles the challenges but also aims to fulfill other needs and wishes of the property owners.

When the landscape plan is approved, we move into a more refined and detailed landscape design.

Each plant is specified in the planting keys.

Using Pinterest, I build shared mood boards that doubles as a source for plants but also for furniture and other garden assets.

All plants are also listed by garden area in detailed plant lists.