Every so often, those who specialize in the custom residential field, are blessed with a truly unique client. Though this in itself can be a loaded statement, a unique client can be defined in many different ways. Roundtree Landscaping, based in Austin, Texas, found a true gem when they undertook the Foxman residential project in 1999. For their work on this project, Roundtree was recognized by the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association with an Award of Distinction in the custom residential category.

The Foxman's were a unique client because they wanted to learn about landscaping. When Roundtree first accessed the property, the client had very specific goals they wanted to accomplish. Primarily they wanted to screen out their neighbors without installing a cumbersome fence. They also wanted to add some color to the landscape without creating a high maintenance garden. Finally, there was a drainage issue that needed to be solved on the side yard.

"Basically, the Foxman's never used their yard and didn't have a concept of what the landscaping was going to do for them," Johnette Roundtree Taylor explained. "They had some problems that they wanted solved, but what they didn't count on was how much the new landscape would enrich their lives."

The home had a wonderful indoor/outdoor relationship that Roundtree Landscaping was hoping to capitalize on. In the living room, the floor to ceiling windows offered the perfect opportunity to create an extension to their living environment. "We told them their new landscape would add an outdoor room to their home," Johnette related. "I don't know if they believed me at the time, but now they use their yard all the time."

One of the problems that the Foxman's were having with their backyard was the unsightly view from their bedroom and living room area into the neighbor's backyard and alley. To create a screen between the two yards, Roundtree Landscaping installed a natural screen of evergreen, Savannah Hollies, 'George Tabor' Azaleas, and Cleyeras. In addition, the flagstone planter was filled with seasonal color and mondo grass to add visual interest.

During the bidding process, the client didn't indicate a specific budget for the project. Roundtree made their suggestions and the client implemented about 90% of those changes. To cut down on cost, some of the hardscape changes like removal of the circular driveway, were omitted. For the entire project, which included the front, back and side yards, the Foxman's spent approximately $65,000 on their new landscape.

In the front yard, the primary goal of the design was to simplify the planting plan, and to open the front of the house to the street. The Foxman's wanted more lawn areas and less bed areas. To accomplish this, Roundtree removed some of the original beds and made two lawn areas. They removed the existing Yaupons that were against the house and opened up the windows, making the house look much larger than before. The planting design was kept simple to dress up the front of the house and make the yard flow as guests experience it.

The second, and most extensive phase of the project, was the backyard. One of the problems they were having was the view from their bedroom and living area into the neighbor’s backyard and alley. Also, when cars would drive through the back alley, their lights would shine right into the client's living room, landscape designer Rob Morton related. “They wanted us to design a space so that it would block the bad views and create new views with focal points that would pull your eye through the yard,” he added.

To meet these requests, Roundtree created the space in the backyard so that the views focused on the new landscape and not on the neighbor’s backyard. An evergreen screen was installed along the property line to define the yard and obstruct the client's view into the neighbor’s yard. The screen includes Savannah Hollies, 'George Tabor' Azaleas, and Cleyeras that help contain the views in the space. There are several ornamental trees throughout the landscape for varied points of interest. There are areas of seasonal color and Mondo grass throughout the landscape that add interest when viewed from within the house.

"First and foremost, we wanted to create a really natural look for the backyard," Roundtree Taylor explained. "When they looked outside their windows. . . we wanted them to feel like they were at the park."

The Landscape Contractor wanted to create a truly natural, park-like setting in the Foxman’s backyard. In order to develop this atmosphere, Rountree borrowed the neighbor's large trees that hung over into the Foxman's yard. The irregular shaped, St. Augustine lawn gives the illusion that the yard is bigger than it actually is. The yard's existing irrigation system was upgraded by the Landscape Contractor and reinstalled after the planter beds were filled.

In order to develop a park-like atmosphere, Roundtree borrowed the neighbors large trees that hung over into the Foxman's yard. To add visual interest, Wax Myrtles and Savannah Hollies were planted underneath the shade of the borrowed trees.

Initially, Roundtree suggested that the existing patio be removed and replaced with a new flagstone patio. When the homeowner rejected this idea, the flagstone motif was then incorporated into the raised planting bed that snakes around the perimeter of the yard. By creating an irregular shaped lawn, it gives the illusion that the yard is bigger than it really is. The s-shaped planter is home to a variety of plants including: indigo azaleas, wax myrtles, savannah holly, Mondo grass, a variety of colorful annuals, ferns, a Japanese maple and an ornamental magnolia.

The planter bed was defined with a flagstone edge that was installed by the Roundtree Landscaping crew. Once the existing grass was removed from the planter bed area, a Kubota Tractor Tiller was used to turn the soil. Letco Pro bedding compost was then applied to the area and the ground was tilled a second time. After the bedding soil was raked to grade, an Echo Auger was brought in to plant the azaleas, ferns and ground covers.

The construction process of the back yard was completed by the crew in ten steps. The first phase was demolition. Before demolition took place, Roundtree marked off the lawn with paint so the client could see what would stay and what would be removed. This gave them a chance to make any changes before the demolition work commenced. Then the existing irrigation system was removed before the bedding areas were tilled.

The crew first used shovels to remove the lawn area that would later be the planter bed. The St. Augustine grass in the middle of the yard was left intact. Then a Kubota tractor tiller was brought in for a preliminary turning of the soil. Letco Pro bedding compost was then applied to the area and the ground was tilled a second time. The bedding soil was then raked to grade.

Then the flagstone edge was installed to define the planter bed area. To begin filling in the planter bed, the larger specimens were brought in and installed with a shovel. Before going any further, the irrigation system was reworked and reinstalled. Once the system's new pop-up heads were set and the areas rezoned, the crew came in and planted the small plants like azaleas, ferns and groundcovers with a gas-powered, Echo auger.

The irrigation system was then rechecked by the crew for any leaks and bare areas in the lawn were overseeded with St. Augustine grass. The final step in this whole process was to clean up and wash down the site with a powerwasher.

After the installation of the front and back yards, the Foxman's decided to have their side yard landscaped as well. The budget became a big issue and to get more of the design installed, the Landscape Contractors presented this project in phases. The first phase being the wall and all planting from the corner of the house around to the patio area. The second phase being the planting from the corner of the house to the back yard. The third phase was the addition of the patio and stepping stone walkway to the back gate.

This space has a shared use between family and friends, and the family's dog "Duffy". The design of the side yard had to address several issues. The space was used primarily for barbecuing and small social gatherings, but was not adequate in accommodating more than four people. The client also wanted to leave grass in this area to accommodate the family's four-legged friend. This space also is off the most used area of the residence, the kitchen, so the connection between interior and exterior space had to be very strong.

The dry-stacked, flagstone retaining wall serves two purposes. First, it allows for the grade change between the side yard and the neighbor’s yard. A French drain was added along the whole side of the property to catch runoff. Second, the wall allows for more seating space and becomes the space-forming element. The steps and raised patio act as a focal point from within the kitchen area and from within the space itself. The perennials planted in the cracks of the steps and patio add visual interest and help to complete the focal point.

The patio area was increased to provide a large space for entertaining, eating, and cooking. The dry-stacked, flagstone retaining wall serves two purposes. First and foremost, it allows for the grade change between the side yard and the neighbors. A French drains was added along the whole side of the property to catch the runoff from the neighbors' property. Second, the wall allows for more seating space and becomes the space-forming element. The steps and raised patio area act as a focal point from within the kitchen area and from within the space itself. The perennials planted in the cracks of the steps and patio add interest and help to complete the focal point. With all the changes that were made to the side yard, this area can now comfortably accommodate up to 25 people.

As a service to their clientele, Roundtree Landscaping offers an additional maintenance program. Three times a year, they call their clients and offer to come out and upgrade the landscape. This service often includes the installation of new plants to add color during different seasons and fertilization. Johnette Roundtree Taylor explained that most of their clients take advantage of the extra service. "It gives us an opportunity to interact with our clients on a regular basis and to keep an eye on the landscape." On average, each visit costs approximately $600 dollars. By providing this type of service to your clients, your company will increase exposure in the community and hopefully earn new clientele through word-of-mouth.

The Foxman's were indeed a unique client for the Roundtree Landscaping Company. They were able to enrich the living environment of their client and teach them a thing or two about landscaping in the process. LCM

All photos provided courtesy of Roundtree Landscaping