I have been designing gardens for many years now. Part time since my corporate days and full time since 2017. When I meet with a client for the first time, we discuss the site, their likes and dislikes and much more. After we have aligned on a go forward plan, I measure the outside spaces and take lots of photos.
One factor I always consider is the view from inside the house. While I’d like to think that all my clients want to spend 100% of their time outdoors just like me, I know that is unrealistic. Many of my clients spend more time inside their houses or on decks or patios than they do in their garden beds.
When I have my first cup of coffee in hand, the view from my family room window calls me outdoors.My evening view from the dining room encourages me to relax for a bit and take in the scenery.
You won’t find me fully blocking windows with my designs, but you may find me adding a plant that you can view up close from inside the house, while also offering a view into the landscape beyond.
When the lilies are in bloom, the viewer can observe them up close while still enjoying the more expansive view. The flowering Prunus Snow Fountain (Cherry) just beyond the lilies was grafted low. Thanks to that low graft I look down on a carpet of white for a couple of weeks in the spring.This view in the winter shows the importance of considering what you will see in every season. The blooming witch hazel is perfectly framed and calls attention to itself.When I have guests in May, they view the Kalmia blooms, Deutzia and many shades of green in the distance.From my front door I can see when someone is approaching and enjoy the flowering plants and trees in the frame. I also have a lovely, borrowed view of my neighbor’s Cedrus (Cedar).What you don’t see is as important as what you see. While a wall of Green Giant foliage may not set the world on fire, it beats looking into the second story of my neighbor’s house.
A window provides a perfect frame. What shows up in that frame matters all year long. The next time you are adding a plant to your landscape or doing a full overhaul of your garden, think about what your windows are framing from every room and in every season.
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