A Pocket Garden of Surprises

About

Pockets often hold carefully curated treasures, as does this one, located at the interface of public and private domains.

A departure from the expansive rural landscape surrounding the owner’s former home, this garden allows her to continue her passion for gardening after downsizing to an in-town apartment. Its planter boxes facilitate maintenance while standing upright and offer privacy while supporting exotic horticultural oddities.

The defining architecture of this unexpected garden is a pergola fabricated in brushed aluminum designed by Scully Architects with plantings set in tall metal boxes sheathed in perforated aluminum. Its entrance is formed by two short lengths of yew hedge staggered to form a zigzag path, echoing the Japanese metaphor for navigating through life. A potted sentry stands guard between the hedges, conveying that the space within is private, while the external view from the parking lot suggests a public garden offering an array of colors and textures.

Building on the bold architecture of the pergola, plants are selected for form, texture, foliage and unique craziness. Evergreens and grasses provide a backdrop for annuals and perennials. One weeping Norway spruce soars high above the pergola, while its neighbor weeps in place. The height and mass of Hinoki cypress and ornamental grasses provide seclusion between the private and public domains. Focal plants are selected each spring from specialty nurseries with Michael Gordon, plantsman extraordinaire, to whimsically adorn the garden.

Foliage is always a major player, contributing a both color and outrageous texture alongside unusual flowering plants.