location:
Victoria,. Minnesota
 
project characteristics:
This inviting setting is best thought of as a “quick trip to the woods”, right in the back yard.  Typical of many new construction back yards, the home's builder had graded off a leveled lawn area, then left left a steeper area to "return to Nature".  ("Let weeds take over" is more accurate.)  The good news was that a nice canopy of existing maples, birch, ironwood, ash, and aspen trees covered the hillside.  The bad news was that the entire understory was choked with European Buckthorn -- among Minnesota’s most aggressive “alien invaders”.  Task one, was grubbing out each and every buckthorn.
 
We designed an intimate overlook patio, that lets the owners relax with a warm fire and be “in the woods”.  The adjacent property is all Minnesota D.N.R. woodland, so they enjoy the forest backdrop in complete privacy.  To make practical use of the hillside for the owners, we designed a series of meandering, crushed rock walking paths with fieldstone steps.  Then, we loaded the shade zones with naturalized shrubs and shady glade gardens, dotted with balsam fir for evergreen interest and color.  Not only is the new setting great to overlook from the patio, but the paths make an inviting reason to get out and enjoy their beautiful woodlands.