Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border

Winter
Google Earth image of the East section of the property Garden age: 22 Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Description
-
Name: Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border
Open to the public: No
County: Buncombe
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b (2023)
Extension Demonstration Garden? No
Approximate year the garden/landscape was established: Development began in 1999
What to look for: The East Lawn and Lower Drive Border of the Mountain Ridge Top Garden have been developed to enhance the beauty of this private residence as seen from the street, and to frame the view of the mountain scenery, including beautiful sun and moon rises, seen from the home.
A stone retaining wall about 100 feet in length was built along the upper side of the drive and a planting bed extending about 20 feet above the retaining wall was developed using low-growing evergreens including blue Sargent juniper (Juniperus chinensis var.sargentii ‘Glauca’), emerald spreader Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata 'Monloo'), and bird’s nest spruce (Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’). Groupings of crimson pygmy barberry and Harbor Dwarf nandina as well as a specimen of Montgomery blue spruce and a Jordan full moon maple (Acer shirasawanum ‘Jordan’) were added creating contrasts in texture and color, from greens to purples and blue and yellow.
A large planting bed on sloping ground has been developed from the corner of the house down to the SE corner of the property. Included in the border plantings here are Nelly Stevens hollies, Kousa dogwoods, a dove tree, and a variety of shrubs including groupings of ‘Sarah’ mountain laurel, Maries Doublefile viburnum and Itea virginica, both ‘Henry’s Garnet’ and ‘Merlot’. A large monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), shown in some photos, grew in the center of this bed for many years.
English ivy was planted early on to stabilize the steep slope below the drive. Trees and shrubs growing in this bed include groupings of Maries Doublefile viburnum, Nellie R. Stevens holly, a Fothergilla 'Mt Airy', and a Bradford pear. At the base of the drive, shrub groupings of Carissa hollies and Crimson Pygmy barberry are planted on each side to mark the entrance.
Near the top end of the retaining wall, there is a grouping of volunteer trees below the drive including a black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), a black cherry (Prunus serotina), and a hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). These frame the view of the mountains from the house's front windows. Under these trees, a group of rhododendrons were planted early on. Beyond the trees, a shrub border below the drive includes mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia “Sarah'), several dwarf hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa, ‘Kosteri’, ‘Snowkist’, and ‘Nana Lutea’). Specimens of Blue Chiffon rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'Notwoodthree') and Lavender Twist redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’) with shrub underplantings including Pumila Norway spruce, Blue Star juniper, and Crimson Pygmy barberry add to the contrast of color and texture.
Across the drive on the uphill side of the upper portion of the driveway shrub border are purple and yellow cultivars of ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Tiny Wine’ and ‘Lemon Candy and a grouping of Fothergilla ‘Mt. Airy’.
At the NE corner of the home, below the deck, is a lower-level entrance with a stone patio. Adjacent to that patio is a small bed with Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum with pinkish-red flowers and purple foliage that contrasts beautifully with the bright golden variegated sweet flag underneath and the evergreen foliage of the Skimmia japonica 'Dwarf' planted nearby.
Below the patio and above the uphill side of the driveway border planting bed is the wide expanse of the sloping East Lawn below the house, about 110 feet long with an average width of about 35 feet, a unifying element in this colorful and diverse garden room.
Horticulture: The land is fairly steeply sloped, dropping over 40 feet in elevation in less than 100 feet from the house to the street, with an average slope of 43%. The steepest portion lies below the drive where the slope of the land increases to up to 67%. Ground covers are used extensively to prevent erosion, especially where the ground is more steeply sloped.
The soil is loamy with good drainage, but rocks often lie below the surface, especially along the ridge top. Most plants were installed as small, container-grown nursery stock. The property has no irrigation system, so newly planted trees and shrubs are watered by hand. Fortunately, deer have only been sited on the property on a couple of occasions, but squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, turkeys and bears are not uncommon in the garden.

Winter
Google Earth image of the East section of the property Garden age: 22 Randy Harter CC BY 4.0
Spring
This view from the bend in the driveway looks North across a shrub border into the North Woods. Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Blue Star Juniper in the foreground, a Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the right edge, & ‘Ever Red’ Japanese Maple on the left edge. Garden age: 16 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view South looks along the shrub border above the retaining wall along the drive. The foreground shows Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, and a Dwarf Montgomery Blue Spruce with Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum in the background. Garden age: 19 years Randy Harter CC BY-NC 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View of the edge of the East Lawn & shrub border with yellows from a Jordan Full Moon Maple & 'Lemon Candy' Ninebark backed by white flowering Fothergilla. Across the drive are Redbud cultivars & a Sargent Crab (rt). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View NE from the deck shows much of the top half of the East Lawn & Border. Mature oaks form a background & a tall Black Gum, just right of center, is the last to leaf out in the Spring. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Carissa Holly & purple Barberries in the left foreground at the base of the drive. Above the retaining wall are Blue Sargent Juniper & a mix of Emerald Spreader Yews, barberries & other shrubs. The bank below the drive has English Ivy & Marie’s Viburnum. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View from the South deck looks across the East Lawn & Border to the mature oaks in North Woods. That’s the bright yellow Jordan Full Moon Maple in the center & white flowering Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum on the lower right. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view South shows the Purple Barberry, Carissa Holly & English Ivy on the lower side of the base of the drive, Above the stone retaining wall, are Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry with Marie’s Viburnum. A Monkey Puzzle Tree is at top right. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Close-up of the shrub border above the lower end of the retaining wall showing Crimson Pygmy Barberries, Bird’s Nest Spruce, Emerald Spreader Yews, & a Dwarf Montgomery Blue Spruce, plus Fothergilla & Jordan maple (left foreground). Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
A close-up view of the shrub border below the drive up near the curve shows Crimson Pygmy Barberries, Dwarf Hinoki Cypress & a pink flowering ‘Sarah’ Mountain Laurel with the North Woods forming the background. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This early Spring view shows white flowering Bradford Pears below the drive fronted by Nellie Stevens Hollies with a native Black Gum (top center) & a large mature White Oak on the right edge. Garden age: 22 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View from the drive across the shrub border & East Lawn shows Blue Sargent's Juniper (foreground), Crimson Pygmy Barberries (left) with white flowering Fothergilla and the yellow foliage of Jordan Full Moon Maple (left) & 'Lemon Candy' Ninebark (right). Garden age: 22 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This photo shows English Ivy & Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum in the bed below the drive, with Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, & a Jordan Full Moon Maple above the stone retaining wall & a tall Crepe Myrtle (top right center). Garden age: 25 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view down the driveway shows the shrub border above the retaining wall with Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Emerald Spreader Yew & white flowering Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum. Garden age: 25 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Close-up of the shrub border below the drive up near the curve with a Sargent Crab & Chinese Redbud (right), green & gold cultivars of Hinoki Cypress below a Nellie Stevens Holly (center), & a purple Barberry & Weeping Redbud (left). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View from the patio shows a Japanese Helleri Holly, a Dwarf male Skimmia & Carex elata 'Bowles Golden' in the left foreground & Redleaf Chinese Loropetalum with more Carex on the right. The Jordan Mapel is centered in the distance. Garden age: 22 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Here’s a close-up of the pink buds and white flowers of the ‘Tiny Wine' Dwarf Ninebark growing next to a Lemon Candy Ninebark in the upper portion of the East Lawn Border above the driveway. Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This shows ‘Sarah’ Mountain Laurel in the foreground with a Kousa Dogwood on the left edge and a Monkey Puzzle tree in the center, with the East Lawn and mature Oaks in the North Woods in the background. Garden age: 15 yrs Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
The East Lawn Border below the drive ends at a turf path into the North woods (left foreground). This photo shows a dwarf purple Barberry, Blue Star Juniper & Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the left, with a Nellie Stevens Holly (center) & a weeping Redbud (right) Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This photo shows the shrub borders below the East Lawn and below the drive. The color comes from Fothergilla (white), Dogwood (pink), 'Lemon Candy' Ninebark & Jordan Full Moon Maple (yellows), & Redbud trees (purple). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This photo shows the shrub border below the driveway, including pink flowering Mountain Laurel & a variety of large trees in the background, with Degroot's Spire Arborvitae, 'Magic Dragon' Japanese Cedar, & ‘Vienna Weeping’ Hornbeam in lower left corner. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View across the driveway shows a Hinoki Cypress ‘Spirited’ backed by a Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Blue Star Juniper (foreground). Above the drive are Blue Sargent Junipers, Barberries & Emerald Spreader Yews with Kousa Dogwoods in background. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
A close-up view of the shrub border below the drive up near the curve shows Crimson Pygmy Barberries(right), Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (left) & pink-flowering Mountain Laurels & weeping Lavendar Twist Redbud Tree in the background. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view across the East Lawn shows the shrub borders above and below the drive with the bright yellow Jordan Full Moon Maple in the center & a Karl Fuchs' Himalayan Cedar (left). Mature trees in the North Woods form the background. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view East from near the upper drive shows strong color contrasts with the bright green lawn, whitish-gray Lamb’s Ear, Crimson Pygmy Barberries, and Lemon Candy Ninebark (left of center) Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view South from the edge of the North Woods shows shrub borders below & above the driveway to the East Lawn with a large Nellie Stevens Holly in the upper right & the Monkey Puzzle Tree centered below Little Cedar Mountain in the background. Garden age: 22 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
View across the East Lawn & Border to the North Woods shows low-growing shrubs along the right edge, including Emerald Spreader Yews, Nandina, & Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Karl Fuchs' Himalayan Cedar (left). Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view shows the East Lawn & Border from the house to the street. Japanese Maples ‘Shaina’ (left) and Sharp’s Pygmy (right) & Barberries provide color contrast to the lawn & junipers. Garden age: 16 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
A close-up of the shrub border below the drive shows a ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress & Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the left, & Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Blue Star Juniper and Lavendar Twist Weeping Redbud on the right. Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
Close-up view of the shrub border below the drive. That’s a Hetz's Midget Arborvitae amongst the Crimson Pygmy Barberry with two Hinoki Cypress on the right. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Kosteri' & Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea' in the background. Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
A view of the edge of the North Woods (left) & the top of the East Lawn Border shows an ‘Ever Red’ Japanese Maple in the foreground with a Nellie Stevens Holly behind. Liriope in the right foreground with ‘Pumila’ & Alberta Spruces behind (right). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view shows Blue Sargent Juniper above the retaining wall and ‘Degroot's Spire’ Arborvitae and ‘Shaina’ Japanese Maple in the right foreground. Carissa Holly and purple Barberry are visible at the base of the drive near the mailbox. Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view from the driveway shows the Blue Sargent Juniper & Crimson Pygmy Barberry above the drive with the Jordan Full Moon Maple (green in summer) above the juniper on the right edge. That’s a Helleri Holly below the corner of the deck (right). Garden age: 23 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
The East Lawn Border ends at a turf path into the North woods (left foreground). This grouping shows a dwarf purple Barberry, Blue Star Juniper & Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the left, with a Nellie Stevens Holly (center) & a weeping Redbud (right). Garden age: 23 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
Carissa Holly & purple Barberries in the left foreground. Above the retaining wall are Blue Sargent Juniper, Emerald Spreader Yews, barberries & other shrubs. The steep bank below the drive has English Ivy & Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum. Garden age: 25 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view from the end of a North Woods path looks across the drive to the East Lawn & Border with a diverse mix of shrubs & trees. Garden age: 25 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0
Fall
An early December view, across the East Lawn & Border after most leaves have fallen. A Bradford Pear (right edge) shows late Fall color. Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry & other low-growing shrubs line both sides of the driveway. Garden age: 16 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
View across East Lawn. Bradford Pears in red foliage stand on both sides of the tall, slender Black Gum tree (center), & a native Black Cherry still shows some golden leaves on the photo’s left edge. Garden age: 18 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Late afternoon sun lights up trees in this view of the tall Black Gum & huge White Oak. Bradford Pears & a Black Cherry show off their orange & gold foliage with Crimson Pygmy Barberries in foreground. Garden age: 19 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Two White Oaks on the edge of the North Woods frame this view of the East Lawn & Border. A ‘Sharp’s Pygmy’ Japanese Maple with bright orange foliage, in front of the oaks, offers a colorful contrast with the greens in the turf & darker conifers. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Blue Sargent Junipers, Crimson Pygmy Barberries & Emerald Spreader Yews (left) & the bright green turf of the East Lawn with a Monkey Puzzle Tree & Nellie Stevens Holly in the background. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Orange ‘Mt. Airy’ Fothergillas above Blue Sargent Juniper in the foreground with a native Pink Dogwood (center). On the left are Crimson Pygmy Barberries, Emerald Spreader Yews & a Crepe Myrtle (top left). Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
View from the drive shows Blue Sargent's Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberries & orange Fothergillas. Off the deck are a Helleri Holly, the orange foliage of a Grape Leaf Full Moon Maple & a Karl Fuchs' Himalayan Cedar. Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Peak Fall colors in this late October view include the rustic tones of mature oaks, gold of a native Black Cherry (right) & yellow-orange in the Grape Leaf Full Moon Maple (left) with red-orange Fothergillas (center) Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
The shrub border has a mix of low-growing shrubs, including Crimson Pygmy Barberry & the yellow foliage of a ‘Vienna Weeping’ Hornbeam below the blue-green needles of a White Pine. Hinoki Cypress is visible on the left. Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Base of the drive shows Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Emerald Spreader Yews above the retaining wall with English Ivy on the steep bank below the driveway. Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum shows its Fall colors in the lower right. Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
In the foreground are 'Magic Dragon' Japanese Cedar (left), ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Blue Star Juniper & Dwarf Alberta Spruce (center), ‘Lavender Twist’ Weeping Redbud (right), Nellie Stevens Holly & N. Woods trees (background). Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
This late Fall view of the East Lawn & Border shows a variety of low-growing shrubs on both sides of the driveway, mature oaks in the North Woods (background left), a tall Black Gum (center), & a large mature White Oak (right). Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view from the base of the drive shows plantings on both sides of the driveway, oaks & one Blue Spruce along the ridgetop, all covered in snow. Garden age: 15 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view from the base of the drive shows plantings on both sides of the driveway with the mature oaks and a Blue Spruce covered in snow along the ridge top. Garden age: 15 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This mid-January scene centers on the winter form of ‘Lavender Twist’ Weeping Redbud & a native Black Cherry (top left) with Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea' & 'Fire Power' Nandina on the left edge & Dwarf Alberta Spruce (right). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Late Winter scene shows Bradford Pears coming into bloom behind the shrub border. Low-growing shrubs include Blue Sargent Juniper, ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Blue Star Juniper (left), more Hinoki Cypress & Barberries (rt) Garden age: 22 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
A snow-covered view from the drive of the East Lawn & shrub border shows the Blue Sargent Juniper in the foreground below the winter form of the Jordan Full Moon Maple (center), just off the deck railing is a Dwarf Hemlock with a Helleri Holly below. Garden age: 23 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This close-up winter view of the shrub border shows the bare stems of a ‘Blue Chiffon’ Rose of Sharon (left), a Pumila Spruce & 'Nana Lutea' Hinoki Cypress (foreground) with a ‘Firepower’ Nandina at the base of the Nellie Stevens Holly in the background. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Shrub border with the Dwarf Alberta Spruce in front of a Nellie Stevens Holly, with ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress (left) & Firepower Nandina (right) & Crimson Pygmy Barberry devoid of its purple leaves by the rock in the lower right corner. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
A Nellie Stevens Holly & the North Woods stands in the background of the shrub border here with Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Blue Star Juniper on the left & ‘Lavender Twist’ or ‘Covey’ Weeping Redbud & 'Nana Lutea' Hinoki Cypress on the right. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view across the East Lawn from the North Woods shows two mature White Oaks in the foreground. Between the oaks is a River’s European Beech & on the left edge a Crepe Myrtle. A Nellie Stevens Holly is in the background off the South deck. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
View across the snow-covered East Lawn & Border shows the mature oaks in the North Woods in the background & the tall, slender native Black Gum on the right edge Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view across the East Lawn & Border shows snow-covered Blue Sargent Junipers & Crimson Pygmy Barberries in the foreground, a Monkey Puzzle Tree (left) with a gnarled Locust Tree. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Google Earth image of the East section of the property Garden age: 22 Randy Harter CC BY 4.0
Spring
This view from the bend in the driveway looks North across a shrub border into the North Woods. Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Blue Star Juniper in the foreground, a Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the right edge, & ‘Ever Red’ Japanese Maple on the left edge. Garden age: 16 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view South looks along the shrub border above the retaining wall along the drive. The foreground shows Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, and a Dwarf Montgomery Blue Spruce with Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum in the background. Garden age: 19 years Randy Harter CC BY-NC 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View of the edge of the East Lawn & shrub border with yellows from a Jordan Full Moon Maple & 'Lemon Candy' Ninebark backed by white flowering Fothergilla. Across the drive are Redbud cultivars & a Sargent Crab (rt). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View NE from the deck shows much of the top half of the East Lawn & Border. Mature oaks form a background & a tall Black Gum, just right of center, is the last to leaf out in the Spring. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Carissa Holly & purple Barberries in the left foreground at the base of the drive. Above the retaining wall are Blue Sargent Juniper & a mix of Emerald Spreader Yews, barberries & other shrubs. The bank below the drive has English Ivy & Marie’s Viburnum. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View from the South deck looks across the East Lawn & Border to the mature oaks in North Woods. That’s the bright yellow Jordan Full Moon Maple in the center & white flowering Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum on the lower right. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view South shows the Purple Barberry, Carissa Holly & English Ivy on the lower side of the base of the drive, Above the stone retaining wall, are Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry with Marie’s Viburnum. A Monkey Puzzle Tree is at top right. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Close-up of the shrub border above the lower end of the retaining wall showing Crimson Pygmy Barberries, Bird’s Nest Spruce, Emerald Spreader Yews, & a Dwarf Montgomery Blue Spruce, plus Fothergilla & Jordan maple (left foreground). Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
A close-up view of the shrub border below the drive up near the curve shows Crimson Pygmy Barberries, Dwarf Hinoki Cypress & a pink flowering ‘Sarah’ Mountain Laurel with the North Woods forming the background. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This early Spring view shows white flowering Bradford Pears below the drive fronted by Nellie Stevens Hollies with a native Black Gum (top center) & a large mature White Oak on the right edge. Garden age: 22 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View from the drive across the shrub border & East Lawn shows Blue Sargent's Juniper (foreground), Crimson Pygmy Barberries (left) with white flowering Fothergilla and the yellow foliage of Jordan Full Moon Maple (left) & 'Lemon Candy' Ninebark (right). Garden age: 22 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This photo shows English Ivy & Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum in the bed below the drive, with Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, & a Jordan Full Moon Maple above the stone retaining wall & a tall Crepe Myrtle (top right center). Garden age: 25 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view down the driveway shows the shrub border above the retaining wall with Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Emerald Spreader Yew & white flowering Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum. Garden age: 25 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Close-up of the shrub border below the drive up near the curve with a Sargent Crab & Chinese Redbud (right), green & gold cultivars of Hinoki Cypress below a Nellie Stevens Holly (center), & a purple Barberry & Weeping Redbud (left). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View from the patio shows a Japanese Helleri Holly, a Dwarf male Skimmia & Carex elata 'Bowles Golden' in the left foreground & Redleaf Chinese Loropetalum with more Carex on the right. The Jordan Mapel is centered in the distance. Garden age: 22 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
Here’s a close-up of the pink buds and white flowers of the ‘Tiny Wine' Dwarf Ninebark growing next to a Lemon Candy Ninebark in the upper portion of the East Lawn Border above the driveway. Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This shows ‘Sarah’ Mountain Laurel in the foreground with a Kousa Dogwood on the left edge and a Monkey Puzzle tree in the center, with the East Lawn and mature Oaks in the North Woods in the background. Garden age: 15 yrs Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
The East Lawn Border below the drive ends at a turf path into the North woods (left foreground). This photo shows a dwarf purple Barberry, Blue Star Juniper & Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the left, with a Nellie Stevens Holly (center) & a weeping Redbud (right) Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This photo shows the shrub borders below the East Lawn and below the drive. The color comes from Fothergilla (white), Dogwood (pink), 'Lemon Candy' Ninebark & Jordan Full Moon Maple (yellows), & Redbud trees (purple). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This photo shows the shrub border below the driveway, including pink flowering Mountain Laurel & a variety of large trees in the background, with Degroot's Spire Arborvitae, 'Magic Dragon' Japanese Cedar, & ‘Vienna Weeping’ Hornbeam in lower left corner. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
View across the driveway shows a Hinoki Cypress ‘Spirited’ backed by a Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Blue Star Juniper (foreground). Above the drive are Blue Sargent Junipers, Barberries & Emerald Spreader Yews with Kousa Dogwoods in background. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
A close-up view of the shrub border below the drive up near the curve shows Crimson Pygmy Barberries(right), Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (left) & pink-flowering Mountain Laurels & weeping Lavendar Twist Redbud Tree in the background. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view across the East Lawn shows the shrub borders above and below the drive with the bright yellow Jordan Full Moon Maple in the center & a Karl Fuchs' Himalayan Cedar (left). Mature trees in the North Woods form the background. Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view East from near the upper drive shows strong color contrasts with the bright green lawn, whitish-gray Lamb’s Ear, Crimson Pygmy Barberries, and Lemon Candy Ninebark (left of center) Garden age: 26 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Spring
This view South from the edge of the North Woods shows shrub borders below & above the driveway to the East Lawn with a large Nellie Stevens Holly in the upper right & the Monkey Puzzle Tree centered below Little Cedar Mountain in the background. Garden age: 22 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
View across the East Lawn & Border to the North Woods shows low-growing shrubs along the right edge, including Emerald Spreader Yews, Nandina, & Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Karl Fuchs' Himalayan Cedar (left). Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view shows the East Lawn & Border from the house to the street. Japanese Maples ‘Shaina’ (left) and Sharp’s Pygmy (right) & Barberries provide color contrast to the lawn & junipers. Garden age: 16 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
A close-up of the shrub border below the drive shows a ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress & Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the left, & Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Blue Star Juniper and Lavendar Twist Weeping Redbud on the right. Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
Close-up view of the shrub border below the drive. That’s a Hetz's Midget Arborvitae amongst the Crimson Pygmy Barberry with two Hinoki Cypress on the right. Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Kosteri' & Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea' in the background. Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
A view of the edge of the North Woods (left) & the top of the East Lawn Border shows an ‘Ever Red’ Japanese Maple in the foreground with a Nellie Stevens Holly behind. Liriope in the right foreground with ‘Pumila’ & Alberta Spruces behind (right). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view shows Blue Sargent Juniper above the retaining wall and ‘Degroot's Spire’ Arborvitae and ‘Shaina’ Japanese Maple in the right foreground. Carissa Holly and purple Barberry are visible at the base of the drive near the mailbox. Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view from the driveway shows the Blue Sargent Juniper & Crimson Pygmy Barberry above the drive with the Jordan Full Moon Maple (green in summer) above the juniper on the right edge. That’s a Helleri Holly below the corner of the deck (right). Garden age: 23 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
The East Lawn Border ends at a turf path into the North woods (left foreground). This grouping shows a dwarf purple Barberry, Blue Star Juniper & Dwarf Alberta Spruce on the left, with a Nellie Stevens Holly (center) & a weeping Redbud (right). Garden age: 23 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
Carissa Holly & purple Barberries in the left foreground. Above the retaining wall are Blue Sargent Juniper, Emerald Spreader Yews, barberries & other shrubs. The steep bank below the drive has English Ivy & Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum. Garden age: 25 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Summer
This view from the end of a North Woods path looks across the drive to the East Lawn & Border with a diverse mix of shrubs & trees. Garden age: 25 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0
Fall
An early December view, across the East Lawn & Border after most leaves have fallen. A Bradford Pear (right edge) shows late Fall color. Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry & other low-growing shrubs line both sides of the driveway. Garden age: 16 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
View across East Lawn. Bradford Pears in red foliage stand on both sides of the tall, slender Black Gum tree (center), & a native Black Cherry still shows some golden leaves on the photo’s left edge. Garden age: 18 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Late afternoon sun lights up trees in this view of the tall Black Gum & huge White Oak. Bradford Pears & a Black Cherry show off their orange & gold foliage with Crimson Pygmy Barberries in foreground. Garden age: 19 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Two White Oaks on the edge of the North Woods frame this view of the East Lawn & Border. A ‘Sharp’s Pygmy’ Japanese Maple with bright orange foliage, in front of the oaks, offers a colorful contrast with the greens in the turf & darker conifers. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Blue Sargent Junipers, Crimson Pygmy Barberries & Emerald Spreader Yews (left) & the bright green turf of the East Lawn with a Monkey Puzzle Tree & Nellie Stevens Holly in the background. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Orange ‘Mt. Airy’ Fothergillas above Blue Sargent Juniper in the foreground with a native Pink Dogwood (center). On the left are Crimson Pygmy Barberries, Emerald Spreader Yews & a Crepe Myrtle (top left). Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
View from the drive shows Blue Sargent's Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberries & orange Fothergillas. Off the deck are a Helleri Holly, the orange foliage of a Grape Leaf Full Moon Maple & a Karl Fuchs' Himalayan Cedar. Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Peak Fall colors in this late October view include the rustic tones of mature oaks, gold of a native Black Cherry (right) & yellow-orange in the Grape Leaf Full Moon Maple (left) with red-orange Fothergillas (center) Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
The shrub border has a mix of low-growing shrubs, including Crimson Pygmy Barberry & the yellow foliage of a ‘Vienna Weeping’ Hornbeam below the blue-green needles of a White Pine. Hinoki Cypress is visible on the left. Garden age: 23 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
Base of the drive shows Blue Sargent Juniper, Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Emerald Spreader Yews above the retaining wall with English Ivy on the steep bank below the driveway. Marie’s Doublefile Viburnum shows its Fall colors in the lower right. Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
In the foreground are 'Magic Dragon' Japanese Cedar (left), ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Blue Star Juniper & Dwarf Alberta Spruce (center), ‘Lavender Twist’ Weeping Redbud (right), Nellie Stevens Holly & N. Woods trees (background). Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Fall
This late Fall view of the East Lawn & Border shows a variety of low-growing shrubs on both sides of the driveway, mature oaks in the North Woods (background left), a tall Black Gum (center), & a large mature White Oak (right). Garden age: 24 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view from the base of the drive shows plantings on both sides of the driveway, oaks & one Blue Spruce along the ridgetop, all covered in snow. Garden age: 15 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view from the base of the drive shows plantings on both sides of the driveway with the mature oaks and a Blue Spruce covered in snow along the ridge top. Garden age: 15 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This mid-January scene centers on the winter form of ‘Lavender Twist’ Weeping Redbud & a native Black Cherry (top left) with Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea' & 'Fire Power' Nandina on the left edge & Dwarf Alberta Spruce (right). Garden age: 20 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Late Winter scene shows Bradford Pears coming into bloom behind the shrub border. Low-growing shrubs include Blue Sargent Juniper, ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress, Crimson Pygmy Barberry, Blue Star Juniper (left), more Hinoki Cypress & Barberries (rt) Garden age: 22 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
A snow-covered view from the drive of the East Lawn & shrub border shows the Blue Sargent Juniper in the foreground below the winter form of the Jordan Full Moon Maple (center), just off the deck railing is a Dwarf Hemlock with a Helleri Holly below. Garden age: 23 yrs. Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This close-up winter view of the shrub border shows the bare stems of a ‘Blue Chiffon’ Rose of Sharon (left), a Pumila Spruce & 'Nana Lutea' Hinoki Cypress (foreground) with a ‘Firepower’ Nandina at the base of the Nellie Stevens Holly in the background. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
Shrub border with the Dwarf Alberta Spruce in front of a Nellie Stevens Holly, with ‘Spirited’ Hinoki Cypress (left) & Firepower Nandina (right) & Crimson Pygmy Barberry devoid of its purple leaves by the rock in the lower right corner. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
A Nellie Stevens Holly & the North Woods stands in the background of the shrub border here with Crimson Pygmy Barberry & Blue Star Juniper on the left & ‘Lavender Twist’ or ‘Covey’ Weeping Redbud & 'Nana Lutea' Hinoki Cypress on the right. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view across the East Lawn from the North Woods shows two mature White Oaks in the foreground. Between the oaks is a River’s European Beech & on the left edge a Crepe Myrtle. A Nellie Stevens Holly is in the background off the South deck. Garden age: 20 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
View across the snow-covered East Lawn & Border shows the mature oaks in the North Woods in the background & the tall, slender native Black Gum on the right edge Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

Winter
This view across the East Lawn & Border shows snow-covered Blue Sargent Junipers & Crimson Pygmy Barberries in the foreground, a Monkey Puzzle Tree (left) with a gnarled Locust Tree. Garden age: 21 years Randy Harter CC BY 4.0- Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo