Historic Cambridge Estate
This historic home just outside Harvard Square was undergoing major interior and exterior renovations, leaving the generously sized property nearly devoid of foundational plant material. In collaboration with Clifton Perkins of Thriving Gardens, we came in with the intent to restore the landscape with a design that honored the prestigious property’s historic roots and complimented the exquisite architectural details of the home.
Building Upon the Bones…
This property had great bones to start, with a few lovely key features already existing we began to design around. The existing oval bluestone patio off the side porch needed a level lawn area for extended outdoor entertaining with some visual and sound screening from the street. Land reformation and grading work, along with the planting of 3 large birch tree clumps, underplanted with multi season naturalizing bulbs and sub shrubs, created the start to the new side yard. The majestic American Holly tree called out for additional planting at its base, creating a small island garden buffering the side yard from the circular drive. Front foundation plants were selected and sited for a more formal and symmetrical style with curved bed edges and multiple layers of shrubs, perennials and flowering bulbs to compliment the round front entry porch and stairs. By the back entrance, a new bluestone patio, enclosed by wrought iron fencing and gates created a functional space that ties together the back entry to the new free standing garage and multiple parking areas. Mixed shrubs and perennial gardens surround the fencing and a dog friendly area runs along the far side of the house.
