While each landscape design project is unique, the expression of individuality captured in the glass garden is rare. Designer Chris Murphy conceptualized the project and was able to capture a truly personal style through his longtime friendship with the homeowner.
Chris came to Finke Gardens for assistance in implementing his vision and creating the planted portion of the plan. The objective was to create enclosure for the glass garden, emphasizing the need for privacy within the space. Plants are intended to provide the setting; the glass provides the color. The stylistic flowing lines of the glass garden was carried through in the linear placement of ornamental grasses, shrub roses and crabapples. A curtain of privacy was planted at the far end using a narrow, dark green Cuppressina Spruce, also creating a backdrop for the dramatic orange metal sculpture by local artist Shannon Hansen.
The exception in color comes with the seasonal color that starts with the spring tulips planted within the private garden, a narrow crescent at the base of one wall. In summer this space came alive with the color display purple Princess grass, Brazilian Verbena, Yellow Lantana, Dakota Gold Helenium, Bronze Fennel and Denver Daisy. And the butterfly populations exploded from the wonderful habitat the flowers created.
On the top of the first wall, White Meidiland roses repeated the color introduced in the lily pad patios, and someday will drape over the wall to soften the hard edge. Karl Foerster Feather Reedgrass and Variegated Miscanthus, all relocated from the previous landscape, create privacy by lining the upper wall. White-flowering Adirondack crabapples, blooming in concert with the spring bulbs, provides the outer edge for the garden.
You have to look closely at the photos to notice the flow of green moneywort near the edge of the glass garden. It starts the transition to the natural setting and serves as a surrounding for the water feature that splashes water. It’s something we love about moneywort – it will take the wet, but doesn’t require it.
