Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/641736
CONTINUED... photography courtesy of Zen associates. opposite page: by Keith LebLanc One secret to lush greenery in your garden? Choose the flora that thrives in Boston's climate. That includes the Japanese varietals utilized in this spacious back yard ( here and above). A pond of koi fish helps round out the theme. All ThAT GliTTers Is Green Whether it's an inner-city rooftop or an expansive backyard, you can transform any outdoor space into a luscious garden. here's hoW. by olivia pierce A garden in the city? A novel idea, we know. But, it's oh-so-easy to build for yourself. We called on renowned local landscape designers to help us scour both city and country in search of greater Boston's most bloomin' cool gardens. Here are our top selections from each category—a rooftop in the city and a front and backyard (for those lucky suburbanites with acres of space)—as well as guide- lines for re-creating them with the year's en vogue garden trends. Like fashion and food, garden- ing has its seasonal crazes—this year, koi fish, hidden driveways, and mod rooftops are the verdant rage. Grab your trowels and go! aqua-essence Those with several acres outside of the city can use every inch of their spacious suburban land to develop a stunning outdoor space with varieties of flowers, grass, trees, and other exterior design elements. This particular garden took over a spacious, open lawn created with a Japanese-inspired theme in mind. Woburn-based landscapers ZEN Associates built a large koi pond (koi fish included) and several paths that lead through- out the open space to a remarkable arboretum. The forest includes a collection of weeping hemlock trees, katsura trees, Japanese maples, and others. "Japanese plants thrive in the New England climate, because it is almost identical to the climate in Japan. Thus, this theme tends to be a popular one among our clients," says Peter White, principal of ZEN Associates. All of these landscaping elements come together flawlessly to create a quiet and calming outdoor sanctu- ary—just what the suburbs should offer. 800-834- 6654; zenassociates.com park This! One day, it's a birthday party on the lawn. Another day, it's a pick-up lacrosse game. More often than not, the 128 bostoncommon-magazine.com space gardening