A homeowner in Winston-Salem, North Carolina wanted to enhance a courtyard garden with more structure, less turf maintenance, and space for a new dog. The design introduced a natural dry creek feature, evergreen plantings, and artificial turf to create a low-maintenance courtyard while preserving the existing perennial garden.
The Client's Vision:
Larry, an avid perennial gardener, initially sought to fortify his courtyard with evergreens to provide winter structure and "critical mass," while eliminating the high-maintenance small turf areas that were no longer necessary. This vision evolved in a subsequent phase when the McGees acquired a new dog, necessitating the replacement of the existing paver patio with a durable, low-maintenance green space that could still accommodate the popular dry creek feature.
Location
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Date
March 17, 2026
Our Design Solution:
The Phase I design focused on seamlessly removing the existing turf by introducing an organic dry creek feature crafted from glacier jacks and strategically placed boulders. This 'river' meandered across the space, softening the rigid patio lines and concluding beneath a large Weeping Japanese Maple, which allowed for minimal new planting material and avoided a chaotic look. Winter appeal was enhanced with a low evergreen hedge of Cavatine Pieris, surrounded by Ajuga and fall-blooming Camellias.
For Phase II, the solution was to install artificial turf, framed by a curved bedline, in the square space previously occupied by the paver patio. This design successfully preserved the original perennial plantings, water feature, and dry creek. Large cut bluestones were strategically placed to guide access from the rear porch to the courtyard gate, with a Mill Creek stone edge installed to create a clean border for the new turf.
Services Delivered
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