The first objective of this project was to take advantage of the full shade created by the sugar maple to create a growing space for shade perennials that can also be used in cut flower arrangements. Cut flower perennials in this design are Echinacea ‘Kimset Raspberry’, Astrantia major ‘Abbey Road’, Heleborus orientalis, and Astilbe ‘Montgomery’.

The second objective was to connect the front yard to the back yard. This was done by using the same paver and pattern which is currently in the front yard but shifting each row of laid paver to create a flowing edge and a dynamic width. The narrowest part (3’) of the walkway is between the sugar maple and the house and is widest (10’) where it connects the deck stairs and back yard.

A part of the Sugar maple was root pruned near the walkway to allow for excavation of the walkway. (The tree trunk is 16” to the walkway at its closest.)

To bring a variation of size and balance to the site, three small ornamental trees were also incorporated into the area. A columnar Japanese maple (Acer palmatum,‘Twombley’s Red’) which has narrow leaves and dark red leaves. Second, a dwarf Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Little Poncho’) and third, a dwarf Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’) was planted. The dwarf Hinoki cypress provides fine textured evergreen foliage which stands out in every season. [USDA hardiness zone 6a, Chicago, Ill.]