Janet Butler
Step into this soothing place designed by Page|Duke Landscape Architects and you step into another world. Peek through the wrought-iron gate and you glimpse its beginnings: a bit of pink here, a touch of sculpted foliage there. Gaze around the perimeter, where the red brick wall pauses now and again for some openwork; inhale the glorious scent of the roses that grace the outer rim. In reality, you realize, this “garden” isn’t just one space: it’s a collection of individual garden spaces, each like a jewel on the landscape — spots for tall flowering phlox, for rhododendrons, for bougainvillea, and the list goes on. A charming alcove holds a meditative bench; posts are carved with statuary and designs created in the concrete.
Flagstone takes you around a gleaming pool, flanked by terraced planters — splashes of floral color reflected in the water. Relax in a poolside lounger; then ramble down three brick steps to lawn and al fresco dining area, enclosed by trellises and shaded a delicate blue. Yes, trees can grow on walls: you know, because you see one trained against the red brick as if painted there. Visible from the inside of the home through long glass windows, it’s a retreat so thorough you might wonder if the outside world is all in your imagination. Don’t be fooled; everyday care is just outside these walls. But there’s no need to return to it too quickly — not without a few more rambles, a few more flowers, a few more peaceful cups of tea as you watch the sun set over your back yard haven.
