A landscape in transformation.

When I began to work the site, the garden was defined by a few ornamental remnants—a dead weeping cherry, struggling ornamental plums, and a vast monoculture of pachysandra. The only plants we chose to keep were a mature viburnum and two Cornus florida, though even they now contend with a changing microclimate. The most impressive presence was an old white mulberry, which provided shade and privacy, but over time, we discovered it was succumbing to root rot, a reminder of the garden’s delicate balance.

Set on a slope, the land came with its own set of challenges—drainage issues, basement leaks during summer storms, and soil instability. The original planting offered little in terms of ecological value, beauty, or resilience.

The Study Garden is not static—it’s a place of observation, learning, and transformation.