Colorful Perennial Flowers Grow in Glenview

Once a traditional backyard of turf and simple plantings around the edges, this landscape has come alive with an abundance of colorful blooms.

In addition to installing a new pergola, patios and a great deal of plants—including more than 30 long-blooming rose bushes—we worked carefully to protect and retain healthy trees, plants and hardscape. For example, a row of arborvitae at the back of the property was augmented to extend the screening effect. And an existing seatwall was re-capped with bluestone and formed the edge of the new patio.

Not long ago, this landscape featured a traditional backyard of turf grass with simple plantings around the edges. Today, this landscape has grown into a spectacular garden with an abundance of bright, bold perennial flowers and verdant foliage.

The owners first met the Van Zelst team after seeing an article about our landscape architecture firm in a magazine. Before long, we were working together to create a new landscape based around the family’s unique preferences. The focus was clear—the family wanted to create a few intimate living areas surrounded by copious blooming perennial flowers.

Among the many shapes and colors of perennial flowers on display—and the variety of hardscape additions—two elements were selected to personalize the garden and tie the landscape together: the homeowners’ love of red roses and their preference for the rich beauty of bluestone.

A new bluestone patio and more than 30 long-blooming rose bushes lay the foundation for the finished landscape. Additionally, a new pergola brings height and a sense of intimacy to an outdoor living room, and swaths of perennial flowers in purple, pink and red complement the hues of the stone and roses.

Throughout the engagement, the Van Zelst design team and installation crews worked carefully to protect and retain healthy trees, plants and hardscape. For example, a row of arborvitae at the back of the property remained, and was augmented to extend the privacy screening effect. In addition, an existing seatwall was re-capped with bluestone to suit the new aesthetic and form the edge of the new patio. Many of our clients appreciate our preference for incorporating existing plantings and elements into the new landscape whenever possible.

As with many Van Zelst engagements, strategic lighting was included in the plan. By uplighting various ornamentals and adding ambient lighting on the pergola, we were able to enhance the family’s investment and lengthen the hours during which the garden can be enjoyed.