These photos are a great example of how creative designs and expert installations can blend landscaping and architecture in a way that is both decidedly classic and modern and the same time. Plantique designer Brian Richardson created this plan for the Stauffer Family of Pennsburg, who wanted their landscape to harmonize with the Florida style architecture they had chosen for their home. They were looking for clean lines and an uncluttered look that would still harmonize with the flowing and softer forms of perennials and grasses.

A must for the homeowners was a main entry walkway that would encourage guests to come through the front door. Lighted entry columns and a large, circular paver pattern lead in to a seven-foot wide walk beautifully achieve this goal. When approaching the home, a large planted berm conceal the driveway and garage doors from view.

The property’s unique combination of native boulders and plantings harmonize well with walkways and stone wall. By keeping the planting bed design uncluttered, the tones of both the pavers and the boulders complement each other and the design seamlessly moves between the clean lines of the pathways and patios to the natural and un-constructed forms of the planting beds and retaining walls.

A breezy, unfettered style was created with the client’s Florida theme as it’s inspiration, yet with plants and materials well-adapted for their Pennsylvania location.

Feeling inspired yourself? To contact our award-winning design team today, please call 610-395-6940 or email us.

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Here’s a great homemade holiday gift idea we found on on the National Gardening Association’s North Mid-Atlantic Regional Reminders Web page. (Hat tip to Charlotte Kid, the editor of the Web page.)

Sow Leafy Greens in Window Boxes to Bring Indoors

Empty and sterilize window boxes with 10% chlorine bleach. Fill with 90% soilless mix and 10% compost or humus. Use soilless mix for the top two inches. Leafy greens you can grow indoors in a sunny spot include bok choy, mache, mustard greens, mizuna, arugula, spring mix, spinach, Swiss chard, and nasturtium. (Wash the window to let in more light.) Sprinkle seeds, then cover with soilless mix. Small plants are fine too if you can find them.

Come to think of it, a window box full of fresh leafy greens is a great gift to give yourself this winter, so be sure to fix an extra box for your family, too.

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For more great winter gardening ideas from Plantique, click here.

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