The primary ideology behind the design and construction of the Norris House is that of sustainability. In regards to the landscape, this umbrella term addresses three important concepts:
- minimal maintenance
- ecological integrity
- preservation of resources on site
In previous design iterations, the West flank of the property was designated as a meadow restoration era. Far more than just a "field", a meadow is a wonderland of biodiversity and an important aspect of many biomes. In our area, meadow areas are generally products of disturbance by man, grazing herbivores, or wildfire. Occasionally, they may be found over poor, thin, calcareous soils or in areas of frequent flooding. For our purposes, a meadow is a wise design choice if sustainability is the mantra. Although there is a certain degree of maintenance required to establish a meadow, the end result requires very little attention. Selecting native plant species, which are better adapted to extremes of temperature and moisture, ensures success in establishment and eliminates watering need thereafter. A typical lawn area requires frequent watering in hot, dry spells and a repeated need for mowing. Meadows only need to be mowed or cut back once a year. This makes a huge difference! Aside from minimal maintenance requirements, meadows also add to, and function within, the surrounding ecology. Containing a diverse array of native grasses and perennial forbs, meadows provide diverse food (seed, nectar, foliage) and cover options for a variety of micro- and megafauna. Establishing a functional meadow contributes to the local seed bank as well, serving as a source for early successional species that can readily spread into newly disturbed areas. Furthermore, a meadow can preserve on-site resources through the uptake of rainwater, filtration of sediment in sheet flow, and holding soil on slopes with extensive, intertwined root systems.
Sustainability is not the only reason why the establishment of meadow areas in a residential landscape is desirable; there is a certain aesthetic character achieved. Meadows are an excellent way to bring bold textural statements and seasonal interest to the landscape. These qualities, coupled with the sustainable attributes listed above, more than justify our decision to establish meadow swaths. Potential issues relating to steep slopes on the North and East ends of the property now present opportunities to establish even more meadow areas on site.
The chartreuse color represents the areas previously alloted for meadow establishment. The area highlighted in green represents the recent decision to extend the meadow across the path to wrap around the steep slopes on the North and East ends of the property.
Yesterday, following our meeting with TDEC officials regarding grey water usage, the landscape team took a good look at the area along the North property boundary. Taking into consideration the likelihood of ample Summer shade and consistent soil moisture, we once again discussed refining the design. From the fire pit plinth and rain gardens northward, the site conditions are less than ideal for meadow. Instead, we are considering the establishment of more shade and moisture tolerant species. A rich and visually striking mixture of Spring ephemeral wildflowers, woodland ground covers, and texturally bold fern species comes to mind.
The area highlighted in dark green, roughly corresponding to the tree line, represents where woodland plantings would be more appropriate than meadow plantings.
Another recent change to the planting plan is the addition of new shrub plantings. On the Eastern edge of the property, between the rain garden beds and the existing retaining wall, the slope is rather precipitous. The ideal way to address the problem is to plant something which roots deeply, suckers, and covers the ground quickly. One species (or a cultivar thereof) comes to mind: Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'). Not only does it cover the aforementioned bases, it is also visually striking throughout three seasons. In the Spring, its terminal branches are covered in showy yellow flower clusters. Come Summer, its fuzzy red berries provide a visual contrast with the glossy compound foliage. In the Fall, the leaves are ablaze with a striking spectrum of red, orange, and yellow. Somewhat like taking the hues of a maple-rich woodland and painting them across the ground plane. On the North end of the property, at the edge of the adjoining woodland, the landscape team has decided it to best to add scattered groupings of native shrub species. Repeating the same shrubs as are planted in the front-Itea, Oakleaf Hydrangea, and Mapleleaf Viburnum-provides unity throughout the landscape and brings more visual interest to the back yard. Adding a middle layer between the ground plane and the tree canopy above softens the look of the woodland edge, bringing a human scale element to the transition. Wildlife will delight in the additional cover opportunities; the onlooker will delight in the additional visual interest. Aside from the species repeated from the front of the property, we have decided to add some Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) to the planting scheme. Not the most showy plant, its merits are still notable. It is an excellent choice for erosion-prone areas (a steep slope with a drainage swale running through it?) because it colonizes like crazy. Sweetshrub's real claim to fame is its olfactory majesty. Indeed, one specimen can fill a patch of woodland with the most delightful apple cider-meets-strawberry scent in the Spring as its unusual maroon blooms unfurl. For this reason, it was named "boobybush" by distinguished Southern ladies during the Victorian era, due to the placement of the flowers within certain undergarments (an early version of "sustainable" deodorant).
The shrubs highlighted in the front were previously designed into the landscape. New shrub plantings are in darker green along the East end of the property (Fragrant Sumac) or shown beneath the tree line on the North End of the property.
