As our short Northeast summer wanes, lots of us looking for updates to our landscaping make plans for September upgrades: sunrooms, hardscapes and landscaping updates are popular early fall renovations in our area. But with the region’s scalding summers and frigid winters, designing for a fluctuating climate can be challenging. The right combination of practical and beautiful details can create an outdoor oasis that is not only durable but looks great year-round.
“Most outdoor landscapes across the country are designed with the intent of lasting only about a decade before they deteriorate rapidly. This is because they are meant to be very attractive for photos early on,” says Gerardo Loayza, founder and CEO of Bacqyard, a digital landscape design firm, who helps clients across the country design for their particular climate and needs.
Consider your needs.
Make sure every design decision serves a visual and practical purpose, agrees Tiffany Glasco, founder of Nahla Madison Home. That’s exactly what she did for the owners of an elegant glass conservatory and adjoining outdoor patio in Newportbury, MA. “The conservatory serves as a bridge between the home and the landscape, allowing the homeowners to remain connected to nature regardless of the season,” says Glasco, who worked with Robinson & Sons Construction LLC on the project. During warmer months, it functions almost like an outdoor living room, filled with fresh air and natural light. In colder months, it becomes a front-row seat to the changing landscape. “It allows the experience of being outdoors without being limited by the weather, effectively extending the enjoyment of the property throughout the entire year,” she says.
Support your design
When designing outdoor hardscapes, says Loayza, overbuild the part you’ll never see. This means, focus on the foundation and work your way up to the beautiful finishes. Hardscape should begin with underground support, he advises: The ground is going to come up through the stone when it freezes and thaws, if you don’t build a support of 8-12 inches of compacted down material like crushed stone below grade first.
Plan for harsh weather
Think about how your plants and greenery will hold up after harsh winters and keep them away from snow-shoveled areas, particularly in the front of your house. “Keeping the structural material of the garden away from the roof line of your home allows it to perform its intended function in adverse weather conditions,” says Loayza. When snow falls off the roof, boxwoods, arborvitae and even Japanese maples will break in freezing temperatures. Choose plants along the house and driveway that will bounce back in spring quickly and easily. “My favorite is inkberry,” says Loayza. “It’s a native evergreen that gets pounded flat by snow in winter and pops back up in spring as if nothing happened.”
Durability is key to any design, from hardscape to greenery to furnishings. For Glasco’s conservatory project, she selected outdoor furnishings that hold up to New England weather and provide comfortable seating for long chats, reading and entertaining.
Glasco selected hydrangeas, dogwood trees, arborvitae and boxwood topiaries to layer texture and structure and create a refined yet relaxed aesthetic. The plants chosen are easy to maintain during warmer months and hearty enough to withstand harsh New England winters. “I wanted a landscape to evoke that effortless Mediterranean charm: lush, layered and romantic,” says Glasco. “The overall palette was intentionally kept simple—deep greens, crisp whites and soft pinks—to create contrast against the black conservatory and reinforce the relaxed, European-inspired atmosphere.”
Form follows function
Designing should not only tell a story but also serve a practical purpose, says Glasco. “Our philosophy is centered on creating spaces that are emotionally engaging, highly functional and enduring in their design,” she adds. For this particular project, Glasco wanted the conservatory to feel like it was part of the landscape rather than simply looking out onto it. Less is more in this case. Glass is abundant, framing is minimal. The tall evergreens provide privacy and vertical interest, while the hydrangeas and dogwoods soften the space with seasonal color and organic movement. “Sometimes the strongest design decision is allowing architecture, natural light and the landscape to become the focal point,” adds Glasco. “It also deepened my appreciation for designing spaces that evolve with the seasons and continue to offer new experiences throughout the year.”
Thinking outside the box and understanding how your design can function in a space and evolve over time can extend the life of your landscape and hardscape. “Every project expands my understanding of how thoughtful design can shape the way people feel in a space, and this conservatory strengthened my commitment to creating interiors that are timeless, purposeful and deeply connected to their surroundings,” says Glasco.
It all starts with thoughtful planning, agrees Loayza, who began his business designing backyards in New England and then expanded the Bacqyard brand across the country. “If you want your landscape to last more than a decade here in New England,” he advises, “design for the snow you can’t see coming.”
