March 17, 2020
Management Magnific
After designing and installing this award-winning landscape, we have managed the property for 13 years. The authentic Georgina-style residence includes a formal rose garden, tea pavilion, courtyards, and areas for entertaining.
Associate Landscape Architect: Zach Lieven
Location: Mequon
Inspiration
The client! His commitment to horticulture and landscaping excellence is inspiring. Collaboration with this client has made his vision come true.
Favorite Element
The focal point of the landscape, the English rose garden, home to over four dozen hybrid T classic varieties.
Challenges
It takes multi-season care to manage the rose garden. A winter protection program, which is essential, is combined with a summer spray program and pruning program to ensure they always look excellent.
Annual flower displays are changed out three times per year. However, the client wants to enjoy each season of flowers as long as possible, so we order plantings that are mature enough to look good at the beginning, but not too mature to be overgrown at the end. During the season, constant fertilizing and pruning make sure all plantings are healthy and vibrant.
Tree care is essential but challenging because of the ash trees. Some are on a yearly plan of removal and some are treated for the emerald ash borer to keep the fall color display. Arborists constantly manage the entire ground’s canopy to ensure health, shape, and that enough sunlight reaches the plants below.
Extra time is taken to hand prune necessary plants. It takes several skilled technicians to take care of the numerous types of plants on site.
The client prefers paving and stone materials look clean but slightly weathered, so each year we tuck point stone and brick. We make sure all grout is intact but do not remove efflorescence from the paving so that it also has a weathered look. All paving is cleaned to remove algae and organic matter so it is clean (but not too clean for the client’s liking).
Best Adjective to Describe This Property
Immaculate is a must.