On the Bluebonnet Trail -
Ennis, Texas

by Linda Tycher & Associates, Inc., Landscape Architect

Tiered native Oklahoma stonewalls frame the chain of lakes. An 8 ft. wide weir spills into a holding basin, then into an intermediate linear lake, and finally passes through underground pipes to connect to the lower lake, which has an aerating water feature.

This Ennis, Texas residence, guesthouse and pool are located on the highest point of land between Dallas and Houston, about 30 miles southeast of Dallas. On the 15-20 acres surrounding the home, the guest house, pool, lake and walking trails provide a relaxed setting, taking advantage of a borrowed view of 300 additional acres owned by the clients. On a clear night the sparkle of the Dallas skyline is seen in the distance. During the day, the complex of buildings and amenities nestle gently in the rolling terrain. As visitors enter the site a wrought iron arch supported by stone columns and layers of perennial plantings greets them. The stained concrete drive with double brick borders leads to the front entry of the main house, then passes under a decorative cupola into a brick motor court beyond.

Over 1,000 linear feet of curved concrete walks meander through the grounds, clearly defining connections between the residence and the guest quarters. The circulation routes were minimally graded to maintain the natural grade.

The client has a large family and hosts many community gatherings. The swimming pool is the focal point, with a negative edge that floats six feet above the surrounding land. The swimming pool development includes a raised spa with weirs spilling into the main pool and decking paved with Pennsylvania gray/green flagstone with burgundy brick banding. The pool is flanked by two "L shaped" wood lanais with carved Texas native Leuders limestone columns. The cedar lath on the trellis structures is richly layered with decorative end cuts. The lanais provide a great deal of shade for sitting and dining year round. The outdoor entertainment area offers a raised stone fire pit and a stone bar/grill with generous granite top surfacing and premiere grilling equipment.

Separating the lagoons are native cedar elms and pecan trees. The "moon lighting" effect casts dappled shadows on the ground.

When the owners purchased the land in the late 1970s they put in pumping equipment, enlarged the stock ponds and connected them by raised rill stones. During design work with our office from 2004 to 2007 it was decided to expand this system to a chain of lakes to give the guesthouse water views. The top of the chain of lakes sits more than 20 feet above the original lake closest to the house. Tiered native stone walls curve and frame the chain of lakes, which spill first into a stilling basin, then into an intermediate linear lake, and finally into a lower lake with an aerating water feature. A stone bridge leads to an amphitheater sitting area with a wood burning fire pit. An additional lake in the distance, another 20 feet below the chain of lakes, has a fishing pier and is seen from wrap around porches on the guesthouse and main residence.

The six ft. diameter Pennsylvania ledgestone fire pit is nestled under an existing yaupon tree. Impatiens and mondo grass soften the raised Pennsylvania stone planter. Wicker furniture surrounding the fire pit enhances the gathering setting. The cedar lath on the trellis structures is richly layered with decorative end cuts.

This project provided the opportunity to merge manmade elements into the natural topography. The site is in the center of the acclaimed Bluebonnet Trail where every spring tourists from all over Texas and beyond come to see mass plantings of Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet), Indian paint brush, pink primrose (buttercups), verbena, broom weed, yellow Texas star, winecups and over 200 other native Texas wildflowers. The peak days for nature's flower show is the third week in April.

The covered walkway connection between the buildings has ledgstone cladding, coach lights and a lanai.

The main challenge of this project was maximizing dramatic views and working the hardscapes and plantings into the topography. The owner has wildflower stands on their property, so the goal was to leave the grade undisturbed as much as possible. Several large berms at the perimeter of the property near roadways create more privacy and frame views. A curvilinear concrete trail connects the pool with the main house, guesthouse, the lakes, tennis courts and fishing pier. The native and adapted plantings are largely drought resistant and provide accents to the architecture and hardscapes. Perennials and flowering evergreen shrubs offer year round interest and richness to the residence and the grounds.

The swimming pool is 68 feet long by 25 feet wide, with views to the guesthouse and setting sun.The pool is flanked by two "L shaped" wood lanais with carved Texas native Leuders limestone columns. The random rectangular Pennsylvania pool deck is banded with brick pavers to add color and warmth

Groundcover and seasonal color creates graceful edges for the substantial lawn areas. The site is watered via the onsite ponds. All of the ponds were clay lined to provide a dark, deep, natural feel to the water bodies. The shrub palette includes "Victoria' blue salvia, wood fern, black-eyed Susans, "Regal Mist' Muhlenbergia, Rosemary, lythrum, "Endless Summer' hydrangea, "Hameln' dwarf fountain grass, "Edward Goucher' abelia, Loropetalum "Pizazz', "Pinkie' Indian Hawthorn, bridal wreath spirea, Southern live oaks and red oaks, bald cypress, Southern magnolias, and "Watermelon Red' crapemyrtles.

The negative edge water spill, six feet above ground level, appears to vanish into the native Texas countryside. A medium lagoon finish plaster in the pool creates a cooling effect that is very inviting during the hot Texas summers. The terra cotta pots filled with perennials soften the flagstone pool deck.

At night, the glow from the residence/guest house spills out into the landscape. Starry dark sky viewing is preserved with carefully controlled lighting. Urns the owner collected on travels, stone columns and trellises are primarily down lit. The soft blue of the rectangular pool spills off the edge and into the night. A select few groupings of trees are moonlighted in the distance with the view trailing off into darkness.

The stained concrete drive is bordered by brick pavers and wraps around pockets of ornamental grass and plantings as it leads to the front entry. Maiden grass, begonias, green liriope and "Knockout' roses create interest and variation in the planting beds

Design Team
Landscape Architect
Linda Tycher & Associates, Inc., Landscape Architects

Architect
Michael Lyons, Architect

Interior Designer
Betty Glaspy, Interior Ideas

Construction Team
Building Contractor
Brazell Construction
Landscape Contractor
Green Earth Landscape & Design

1 Residence
2 Guest house
3 Garage
4 Entry drive
5 Brick motor court
6 Negative edge swimming pool and spa
7 Matching lanais
8 Bar / grill
9 Raised stone fire pit
10 Lakes, stone walls and water features
11 Curvilinear walking trail
12 Wrought iron entry arch
13 Wood burning fire pit

Vendors
Pool: Landers Pools
Lighting: Lentz Landscape Lighting
Marble & Granite: Holland Marble
Stone Columns: Continental Cut Stone
Trellis Structures: Southwest Deck and Fence
Flagstone Decks: Montgomery Masonry

The hardscape under the arbor is Oklahoma flagstone. The arbor is cedar and is attached to stone columns on one side and a rough stonewall on the other. The ground cover planted behind the pond walls is Asian jasmine

All of the lakes/ponds were clay lined to provide a dark, deep, natural feel to the water bodies.

A stone path of Oklahoma flagstone leads to an amphitheater sitting area with a wood burning fire pit.

Shrub Palette