The Layered Landscape
Designing a well intentioned landscape to blur the line between nature and human
The past month I have been meeting with clients and consulting in various projects around the area. Perma Studio has taken offer in big ways since I returned from England, which is some of my silence I have had in this space. Beginning a new business is exhilerating, but when you are in the business of plants, there is an urgency that hits in April and May in the north that I cannot put words too other than I feel deeply connected to the land’s opening leaves. The energy it takes to open in new ways and build to something that will store new energy.
In all these moments and meetings there has been a lot of talk about land, nature, and the ways we build something worthy of awe. What qualifies beauty? What makes a landscape “successful”? What is our work heading towards?
One of my clients is a local interior designer and as we discussed these things for her blank slate of a property, we connected our mediums of work of design in that just like a great interior project a landscape project requires layers, story, growth, change. There is no slapping it together that will be interesting or worthy of the awe. A great interior takes immense work to gather the right pieces to tell the right story, watch the light, wonder if something should exist in that space, or if it is the wrong choice. These things are the same when working with land. There is a conversation, a need to pay attention, watch, learn, gather, and continue the work.
I always find the most inspiration my work of land from the land itself of course, but the enduring ways that human and earth blend into one beautiful convergence, where you no longer can see the house as anything but part of the land itself. This doesn’t happen quickly. In fact, when I was in England I saw how even a new house that had been built to look like the older ones, still felt out of place. The reason being the land hadn’t absorbed the home yet. The ones that felt the most natural and integrated were the ones that had been there for 50+ years. A lifetime for a human.
How often we want in the worst way to make everything feel complete. How often we want to paint a room, put a couch in there and layer in some art and make it seem complete. We expect the same of a landscape. Over time these things are more common than not, but what I have found both as a home owner and a landscape designer now, is that this eliminates the beauty of the journey of connecting with your space intimiately and learn it’s nuances. We can lay grass like a rug or plant some hydrangeas and boxwoods like art sold commercially but never know they lack the celebration of spirit and art or the ecosystem contribution for nature to come to our doorstep.
When I look at someone’s project, I think about the blending of the ecosystem with the human footprint. Where can be minimize the lines over time? Where can be blend the earth with the human so as it is intended is not seen as being different, but one?
The same is true when I listen to my friend who does this beautifully with her work in the area. It feels layered and thought about in a way that tells of emotion, story, and connection without being fussy, but it doesn’t happen slowly or without a lot of attention.
As we approach our landscapes this spring, I think it is important to look at things from this lens. Where can we bring in more of a story? Where can we listen to the sunlight, the soil, and the land around us? Where can we bring nature back into the picture intentionally so it absorbs us back to her in the way we unknowingly or knowingly desire?
My suggestion is to look to local native plants over things like Hydrangeas and Boxwoods (hint hint: they have 0 contribution to the ecosystem…literally) and look to perennials that offer habitat, food, and nature a place to meet us to create a story and connection between us we never would have otherwise. Let go of the typical painted landscape and open the doors to something wilder, layered, and evolving with time.
Maybe a lesson in life as well lies somewhere between these lines today.
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Planting Now in Zone 6
You wondering what I am planting? Well a lot actually! Both inside and out so here is a quick list of somethings:
Outside:
Any perennial tree, fruit, or shrub or plant is most likely fine. The cool transitions to warmth are really good for them. If something has blooms though remove them or wait to plant till blooms are done.
All spring veggies are outside that I want.
Perennial herbs are just fine now
Onion sets are in the ground as well
Calendula is also happy outside mine are all coming up from last year
Direct seeding in the soil: carrots, calendula, beets, morning glory, kale, turnips, radishes, or any other late spring/early summer veggies
Inside:
Basil
Zinnias
Cosmos
Sunflowers
Corn
Squashes
Anything that needs 3-4 weeks till they are placed outside.
On my mind this week
Been one hella busy week around here, but life is really full and good in the best ways:
Annual Agriculture: As I am spending my days moving compost and driving around to farm tours, consults, and more I have been listening to this book on audio book that’s been on my list for a bit and my friend mentioned I would enjoy after he read it. Really glad I started it. It’s fascinating and builds on my Permaculture Design Certificate knowledge.
Body care as we age: Been thinking a lot about aging and doing it well, thoughtfully, and gently for myself. One thing I keep thinking about is keep moving in the ways you want to for as long as possible. I have been doing weight training, pilates, and yoga consistently the last year and this year in the garden it really shows. Getting more mobility is helping. Coaching soccer I am able to play confidently with the boys as well. My cardio isn’t as high so I am continuing to work on that. I refuse to slow down as I age, but I also want to be respectful of my bodies limits too. Fine lines!
Travel Plans: Our trip to England left us with a deep desire to continue traveling. So on the list right now for this year is a stint in Italy north of Rome in Florence and Sienna. Then we are thinking of a spring break get away to Puerto Rico. Welcome any suggestions!
Countdown to Summer: School life right now is INSANITY so I am doing what I can where I can and recognizing things. We are shifting things up for the next year so there is a grieving we all are feeling right now too in it all.
Outdoor Furniture: I have a client who really wants me to design and picture some unique ways of integrating nature into their landscape. So I am dreaming about some different furniture approaches. I am heavy in the design process on this! Here is some inspo.
Gravel pathways: We are adding gravel to the area around our sauna this summer/fall and we are debating some details about it all so I am researching everything about gravel so it looks like those paths in England we fell in love with.
Rhubarb Almond Cake: Rhubarb is coming in hot right now! So I am looking for lots of yummy recipes for using it that aren’t just sauce or such. This cake is on the list right now.
What are some things that have been swirling in your brain this week?
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Please share any rhubarb recipes 😍 I have a few plants and always seem to struggle to use them in everyday cooking