Using stone and plants as his medium, Thomas Lynch thoughtfully formalized the landscape design for the owner of this sun-filled Cape Neddick home.
Mature frasier fir trees were installed to shield the home from the sight of the road, making the landscape feel like a tucked away woodland garden. Thomas also established pathways of reclaimed granite, sculpted retaining walls with locally-sourced boulders, and juxtaposed wild, loose textural planting areas with clean-lined garden areas. “I want the garden visitor to wonder what is around the corner, where does the garden path lead to, and what is behind the hedge?”
One of the unexpected discoveries is an estimated 100-year-old salvaged wrought iron fence. A cottage-style garden with a whimsical combination of herbaceous plant material to purposefully attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds aligns the fence, and anchoring the fence are posts that were hand split from a single block of Rockport granite.
“When selecting plants for this project,” he says, “I considered their visual interest in different seasons. Placing plants with varying textures next to each other makes a garden look interesting and beautiful, even when they aren’t in bloom.”
Another element that adds to the landscape’s intrigue are the custom water features, one of which is a gently bubbling fountain originating from a natural boulder, with a hidden, custom underground reservoir and recirculating pump. “Birds and chipmunks alike frequent the water features regularly.”
All visitors may delight in the zig-zag linear planting of fragrant yellow roses, with the entertaining name Rosa ‘Julia Child,’ installed along the back deck. These roses bloom continuously from late spring into fall. A line of panicle hydrangeas bloom in front of the home annually.
The balance between the stonework and the lively materials brings a harmonious blend of visual delight with consideration of ecology and sustainability throughout the seasons.
