Having a lot of shade can be a sweet relief in the warm, sunny months of summer, but it can also pose a challenge when selecting exciting plant material for a landscape. For this Love Your Landscape feature, we bring you the Reynolds' home and their shade-friendly front yard landscape.

 

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Q:  What did you enjoy most about working with D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc.?

 

A:  Cale is extremely responsive and professional in his communication with us. He listens to our input and offers creative solutions and ideas. Everyone we've met from D.A. Alexander has been professional and reliable. 

 

 

Q:  Briefly describe the services D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc. provided for you.

 

A:  Developed a landscaping design for our front yard, including re-do of sod and re-design of all plantings and beds. 

 

 

Q:  Why did you elect D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc. for your landscape services?

 

A:  Recommended by our neighbor and on our neighborhood social site.

 

 

Q:  How did the services provided by D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc. add to the value/enjoyment of your home/property?

 

A:  We love the results! Our property is heavily wooded, so the landscaping requirements are challenging given the amount of shade. Cale Brown's expertise with shade-loving varieties was invaluable in achieving the positive outcome. 

 

 

Q:  Do you have any future landscape plans? 

 

A:  Yes, we are currently working with Cale on a phased plan for our back yard. 

 

 

We also asked D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc. designer Cale Brown his thoughts about this front yard renovation. 

 

 

Q:  Were there any specific challenges during this project?

 

A:  The property has many mature trees causing both root competition and suitable plant selection limitations from the dense shade.  Ivy removal is never easy and the existing irrigation system had to be reconfigured to properly water the new landscape. 

 

 

Q:  What landscape feature do you enjoy most?

 

A:  The way the colorful perennials mix and blend create harmony to the eye from every angle.

 

 

Q:  What plant used is your favorite and why?

 

A:  Brunnera ‘Jack Frost', because it adds great texture and color along the walkway even when it's not in bloom. Additionally, in this application it directs your eye to the front entry door.

 

 

Q:  How did you create season-long interest?

 

A:  I used a variety of plant materials with different colors and textures including Boxwood for year-round interest, Hydrangea ‘Annabelle' for beautiful late season blooms, Brunnera ‘Jack Frost' for its silvery veined foliage and stunning bright blue spring flowers, Ostrich and Japanese Painted Ferns for foliage texture, Variegated Liriope for its tufted deer resistant foliage and late season purple blooms, and Japanese Kerria for the striking yellow spring blooms.