The challenges of a small site are no less
demanding than those of a multi-acre estate.

At the Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe in Northbrook, Van Zelst, Inc. was commissioned to develop a flower garden along the building's entrance and provide year-round interest to customers and passers-by. The shop, an award-winning business with a national reputation, appeals to an upscale clientele that expects quality whatever the venue.

David Van Zelst designed a 40 by 20-foot semicircular flower garden that changes seasonally from brightly colored bulbs in spring to a wide array of annuals and perennials for summer and fall. A Mediterranean-style piazza between the building's facade and the garden houses a row of oversized terra cotta containers overflowing with plantings that also rotate with the seasons. A sturdy trellis along each side wall provides for plantings of clematis, roses, and grape vines. In a small area, using vertical spaces is especially important.

For such a showcase garden to retain its good looks, good soil and meticulous maintenance are essential. In this case, the site's existing soil was so poor that Van Zelst, Inc. totally removed it and then brought in a new mix of leaf compost, mushroom compost and topsoil. Site and soil preparation are important keys to any successful landscaping project.

Although the Knightsbridge garden is public, it could easily be adapted to any small private site in city or suburb.