Framing the Welcome

With stormwater now managed, attention shifted to the front foundation—a space that welcomes visitors and greets the homeowners daily. The goal? To create a planting design that felt both anchored and alive, softening the arrival while rooting the home more deeply in its woodland setting.

We replaced a narrow, outdated flagstone path with a more intentional layout, removed hostas that deer routinely browsed, and let go of struggling Ilex and miscanthus planted in less-than-ideal conditions. Some boxwoods were relocated, others removed due to poor health. In their place, we introduced layers of plants better suited to the moist soils—tolerant, textured, and designed to thrive.

Seen from the kitchen and dining room, this area now offers a daily visual connection to the garden—softened, seasonal, and welcoming.