Spring 2004 - Dr. Brad & Ellen Blakeman (Galena Territory)

Elements: Stone walls & steps, flagstone patio, trees, shrubs, perennials & bulbs

The Blakeman home sits off the back nine of the North Golf Course in the Galena Territory. The property overlooks a large greenspace area behind the home. The home’s landscape has the free flowing and natural feel appropriate for a home tucked into this sort of rustic setting. While we would like to take credit for the complete design of the landscape, the Blakemans were the driving force behind the theme of the landscape as well as the planting selections and positions. As you can see from the photos, the Blakeman’s design turned out great, with interest in all four seasons and evolving bloom patterns as the spring turns to summer and fall.

You may notice that the use of trees plays a major role in the Blakeman’s landscape. A number of large pines were used to give the home and property a mature, “grown in” look. The pines also provide effective screening from neighboring homes. The other side of the property features Serviceberry trees. A shade tolerant undergrowth tree, the Serviceberries are at home under the large tree in the front yard. The back and side yards also feature flowering crabapples. Of course, the crabapples flower in the spring and hold small fruit (crabapples) for many months, giving the landscape interest throughout the year.

The rest of the plantscape consists of groupings of more than 50 different types of shrubs, perennials, grasses and bulbs. Despite the difficulties encountered on the site (e.g. deep shade, steep slopes, heavy water runoff), the Blakeman’s design uses the large number of plants to solve or minimize the potential problems while still keeping a natural appearance.

We would like to thank the Blakemans for allowing us to show you their landscape.

PLEASE CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE.