Linden L.A.N.D. Group

We have designed and built over 350 landscapes in the last 10 years with total sales over $5 million - and out of all of them this project on South Hero is our favorite. The house was designed by Battle Associates and constructed by Red House Building. Our landscape design goal was to create a residential ecological landscape that balances a “neat aesthetic” with “wild beauty”. We preserved as many existing trees as possible but maximized lake views. Native species were selected that attract birds and wildlife, so the property now serves as our clients' private wildlife observatory. We removed invasive species, included minimal lawn, and created areas for relaxation and paths for walking. The house was LEED certified and we used as many local materials as possible. The meadow covers 12,400 SF and includes over 4,000 native plants (19 species) as well as 2,000 spring bulbs. The areas around the house were planted with 2,000 native perennials and 250 shrubs. The clients have become naturalists and are active participants in the evolution of their landscape, which is particularly rewarding for all of us.

Naturalistic Landscapes

Natural Swimming Pond

Naturalistic Landscapes

Irregular Bluestone Slab Steps

Lakeside - clouds of white and yellow

The lakeside of the house features Leucanthemum 'Becky', Carex pensylvanica, Hypericum and Hydrangea 'Annabelle'. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

July in the Meadow

The Meadow has 4,000 plants, and 19 different species. Here in the foreground is Echinacea purpurea, and Scutellaria. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Entrance column along Driveway

To help frame the space and mark the entrance we capped the long stone wall with a column and lightpost. The driveway is lined with Panicum grasses. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

The Oval Office

The house site sits on top of a cliff, 40' above the surface of Lake Champlain. The view is outstanding and we wanted to create an overlook space separate from the house, providing a feeling of prospect and a wonderful place to watch eagles soar by. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

The Great Wall

One of our design challenges was to hide a large septic mound system on the slope in the front yard. In consultation with the civic engineers we designed a 150' long American Granite retaining wall and filled in behind it to reduce the slope. The wall took our masonry crew about a month to build. Then the area behind the wall became the wildflower meadow. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Pollinator Paradise

Liatris quickly became one of the clients favorites and we returned the following spring to add more. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Second season in the Meadow

We always prepare our clients for the reality that plantings take at least 3 years for everything to mature and fill out. Here is the meadow late in its second year, mostly grasses and some eager black-eyed susans. Rudbeckia is aggressive and become a "thug" if it isn't selectively controlled. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

West Patio and Hot Tub

There are several sitting areas to choose from depending upon the direction of sun and wind. We often build sitting walls that partially enclose hot tubs, providing a landing spot for drinks and a spot to sit and cool down. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Groundcovers reduce Maintenance

This vigorous groundcover is Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride', and is one of the taller of the native Heucheras. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

View from the Screen Porch

We kept the color palette fairly simple - green, white and yellow so the Lake could remain the focal point. Variation in texture and wide swaths help keep it interesting. Carex pensylvanica starts to turn gold in the fall. On the right in the background is Hay-Scented Fern and on the left is Aster divaricatus. photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Path from the Oval Patio

This photo was taken right after planting and before the groundcovers filled in - the goal is to completely cover the surface and not be able to see any mulch, and in an ideal world have several vertical layers as well. The path to the right goes down the stairs to the boat docks. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Monarch on Asters

In October we see Monarchs taking a much needed rest on Asters in the meadow, including this one called 'Raydon's Favorite'. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Driveway Border

To help provide a clean edge to balance the complex wildness of the meadow we installed a border of Panicum 'Cloud Nine' which gets 6-7' tall when full grown. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Autumn Glow

Looking East you can see the ash trees we left randomly dispursed in the lower meadow and the wetland across the street. One of our goals was to connect the new landscape with the surrounding natural landscape in order for the design to have a authentic sense of place. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

View to the North

The Helenium autumnale blooms for a long period in late summer and was one of the first perennials to show its colors. In the background you can see one of the Acer rubrum we planted to replace the dying elm and ash trees. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Path through the Meadow

The granite retaining wall is divided by a mowed path and slab stone steps, allowing the clients to walk through the meadow on their way to pick up their mail or walk their dog. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Naturalistic Design Master Plan

The master plan shows the different use zones and pathways that connect them. The clients can easily walk a loop through the different zones, watch butterflies in the meadow, travel north through the woodland ground covers an under-story shrubs, out to the Oval Overlook, to the south along the top of the ledge through the white garden and back to their front door. Wild areas are contained with "Ribbons of Order" to provide design legibility. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Naturalistic Landscapes