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We replaced a narrow, outdated flagstone path with a more intentional layout, clarifying movement and arrival. Existing boxwoods in good health were selectively relocated and integrated into the new planting framework, while others were removed where conditions or vigor no longer supported them.

Hostas repeatedly browsed by deer, along with struggling Ilex and Miscanthus planted in less-than-ideal conditions, were removed to make room for layered plantings better suited to the site’s moisture and light. The resulting composition balances continuity with change—anchored, resilient, 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.