A Formal and Serene Garden in Evanston

The owners of this traditional Georgian home in Evanston, Illinois desired to renovate their overgrown formal garden outside their screen porch.

The Construction Team’s first task was to remove all the existing plant material and open up the space which allowed our landscape design team to start with a clean pallet. The owners requested that private screening be provided to hide the public park across the street. The new plants needed to be tall enough to provide the screening, but not grow tall enough to block the view of Lake Michigan from the second story of the house. A hedge row of Arborvitaes was installed to screen the park year round.

The owners also requested that the new garden still retain its formal feel and design. The center circle garden contains a trickling fountain that is surrounded by brightly colored annuals. Since the owners enjoy abundant summer color, a sophisticated irrigation system was installed throughout the planting beds.

To create a more casual feeling amongst the formal setting, bluestone chips were used to surface the paths bordered by flagstone curbing. Two wrought iron benches frame the circle and provide a serene setting to relax.