Puddock Hill

The home of an environmental blogger, Puddock Hill represents a case study where theories are put into practice.  The owners of this historic 12-acre property sought our expertise when they decided to renovate their rear patio and garden spaces.  Wishing to work with the land rather than in opposition to it, they sought to create an outdoor area that would support their conservationist ethos and provide opportunities for entertaining as well as ornamental and edible gardening. 

In the spirit of this living experiment, we created a planting design using species consistent with pollinator food and habitat.  The selected vegetation employed native species, removing the need for supplemental irrigation, pesticides, and herbicides. In keeping with the naturalist aesthetic, we emphasized existing legacy trees, woodlands, and meadows. 

Using geometric principles, we organized the outdoor living space into clean, bold pathways and patios delineated by natural stone walls. Aligning views with doorway openings, we created focal points along an axis anchored by a water feature and firepit. The gravel pavements we added served as part of the stormwater management plan, collecting runoff and then filtering it into surrounding natural areas. We placed the edible kitchen gardens in raised beds clustered around a custom garden shed.  With this project, we realized the homeowners’ priorities of nature and gathering while staying true to their commitment to environmental stewardship.