A front garden can offer a first glimpse of what lies beyond the door. At Rooted, a shop devoted to local makers and artisans in New London, Pennsylvania, we wanted that introduction to reflect the creativity and character found inside.
Housed in an early 19th-century building at a crossroads, the shop already had a distinctive identity. Its owner had commissioned a hand-fabricated sign made from a slice of tree trunk and salvaged metal letters. The garden, however, had yet to tell the same story. A stone wall, a few creeping flowers, and a narrow strip of lawn between the street and porch offered an opportunity to bring the shop’s spirit outdoors.
Our design began with a simple idea: a place that celebrates unconventional, handcrafted goods deserves a garden with a character of its own.
The long, narrow space called for thoughtful plant selection. Maintaining the grass was awkward, and we saw an opportunity to replace that routine with a planting that would offer something to notice throughout the year. We designed for color and seasonal succession, with the strongest floral displays in spring and late summer. Between those moments, the plants’ natural forms carry the garden forward.
Seed heads, dried hydrangea blooms, and ornamental grasses extend its interest into winter. Plants are allowed to retain their individual shapes, giving the garden a sense of movement and change that suits the shop it introduces.
The process also reflected the owner’s resourcefulness. Our work focused on site analysis, concept development, and a planting plan that she and her staff could install themselves, without construction. It was an opportunity to provide a clear design direction while leaving room for the owner to take a hands-on role in bringing it to life.
We’re pleased to share Rooted as part of our project portfolio: a small garden shaped by its setting, its seasons, and the people who care for it.
Visit the full Rooted project page to view more pictures, explore the garden, and learn about the thinking behind its design.