Oasis Amongst the Evergreens

1. Describe your project. How did you meet customer goals and desires while dealing with challenges e.g. site-specific, special, unusual or unique?

A complete renovation of the 2 plus acre property began with a large addition to the home, as well as new indoor space for the three resident horses. The tired, unmaintained landscape was stripped, saving every possible plant, while adding a large pool and reconfiguring every area of the property. Traveling through the property upon completion, new points of interest abound. Spaces tailored to the horses. Inviting water features with a variety of intimate seating areas, as well as large entertaining spaces. Pathways leading to once unused areas now are filled with vegetable gardens.

Working with the client to create a unique space led to a wide range of materials from Brown-stone boulders to hundreds of plant types. Privacy to the pool which sits on the street side of the property required large berms, and the planting of 60 new, large evergreens. Relocation and protection of the established trees on site was extremely important to the client. The placement of the new trees needed to work in conjunction with the old trees not only to provide the desired privacy, but also frame the beautiful views of the mountains from the homes second story areas.

Three horses resided on the property throughout construction. Much of the northwest portion of the property is space dedicated for them. Three separate corral areas were established, including a pasture connecting to the rear fescue lawn. This gave the client the ability to have the horses close while enjoying the private back yard and garden areas.

2. What unique or unusual site-specific specifications were you required to address during the installation process?

Working in conjunction with the General Contractor while they completed the large addition presented unique challenges. The homeowner continued to reside on the property throughout construction. Respecting privacy as well as maintaining a clean and presentable entrance to the property was a must. Limited access on the properties south edge provided access for 10 plus trades on many days. This required detailed job schedules and coordination from all involved. The creation of berms and grade work throughout the project required importing 2,000 yards of soil at various times. With limited access and no staging area the project had to be constructed in sections. Careful attention to the timing of transplants by area was important to their survival. As a section was readied by the GC the transplants were moved. Along with the horses the homeowners have five dogs. A fenced area with artificial turf was relocated multiple times as the project progressed to keep the dogs both safe and happy.

3. Describe the challenges you realized or had to overcome during the project, and what your solutions were that make this project award-worthy.

Several challenges were faced on this project. “We don’t want to see any mulch” was a request of the homeowners as the project moved forward. This was no small feat, considering the size of the planting beds. Over 250 flats of sedum, veronica, thyme, and iceplant were planted in spaces where they would do well. Over 1,500 one gallon perennials added color and texture, all minimalizing any visible mulch. Focusing on low water plants and fescue sod also worked in reducing water use on the property.

Several delays faced by the GC postponed our start on the project by approximately 5 months. We arrived to start in mid-November just as some unseasonable cold temperatures arrived. With the arrival of the New Year came a new challenge from the client. They were hosting two large weddings in early July. Timelines were readjusted and as Spring approached two Watermark crews worked simultaneously on the project to meet the deadline. Each crew focused on a specific section of the property as the GC completed work in that area. Maximizing time for plants to root and sod to grow insured the weddings would be a success. The garden presented itself so well the clients hosted 2 additional weddings.