Landscape design · Prepared for Nadine · October 2026
A quiet palette of greens, deep purples and soft whites, with a rock garden centered on your Hinoki.
01 · The whole garden
Hi Nadine,
I’ve refined the area around your Hinoki into a small rock garden, with your three larger boulders and a few smaller matching stones forming one arrangement. Low planting softens the edges.
The existing dry creek, bridge and stepping-stone path continue to connect the garden. Repeating grasses, white flowers and purple accents helps the new planting feel at home with what’s already there.
02 · The Hinoki corner
Your three larger boulders and smaller matching stones form one arrangement. Final stone placement can be refined on site. Low groundcover softens the front edge, while grass-like liriope and compact, dark-leaved stonecrop bring green and purple foliage between the stones.
The pine-straw opening is centered on the Hinoki’s trunk. It keeps an organic surface close to the tree while letting the river rock frame the surrounding garden. Geotextile fabric will be installed beneath the new river rock.
03 · The planting plan
The plan locates all 36 proposed plants, the rock-garden addition and the boulder arrangement, with the existing courtyard features shown for context. The keyed schedule matches the plant guide below.
04 · Your complete plant guide
The original salvia, grasses, Ruby Falls redbud, dianthus and gardenias remain in the proposed planting list. Eight smaller plants replace the three Purple Pixie loropetalums around the Hinoki. The white dianthus selection is subject to sourcing confirmation.
| Plant | Quantity | Nursery size |
|---|---|---|
| May Night salvia | 6 | 1 gallon |
| Cassian fountain grass | 6 | 3 gallon |
| Ruby Falls weeping redbud | 1 | 15 gallon |
| Early Bird Frosty dianthus | 12 | To be confirmed |
| Diamond Spire gardenia | 3 | 2 gallon |
| Georgia Blue speedwell | 3 | 2 gallon |
| Big Blue liriope | 3 | 1 gallon |
| Puff Pastry™ White Chocolate stonecrop | 2 | four quart |
| Total proposed new plants | 36 | 8 varieties |
Proposed nursery container sizes; final availability and pricing will be confirmed with Mike after you approve the direction.
Retained from original planFlowering perennial
Deep violet-blue flower spikes rise above compact green foliage in late spring and early summer. Removing spent flower stems can encourage another round of blooms. Returns year after year, rather than needing annual replacement.
Retained from original planPerennial ornamental grass — not evergreen
Arching green foliage with soft, cream-to-pink bottlebrush plumes in midsummer into early fall. Foliage develops warm fall color before drying for winter; fresh green growth returns in spring.
Retained from original planDeciduous ornamental tree — loses its leaves for winter
A small tree with cascading branches and heart-shaped burgundy-purple leaves. Rose-purple flowers appear on the bare branches in spring. Leaves can become greener later in summer, so it will not look the same color throughout the year.
Retained from original planEvergreen perennial
Low cushions of blue-green foliage with fragrant, double white flowers beginning in spring. Light trimming after flowering encourages repeat bloom. The foliage provides a low edging even when the plants are not flowering.
White edging shown as the design intent. The final cultivar, nursery size and availability will be confirmed before ordering.
Retained from original planEvergreen shrub
A narrow, upright gardenia with glossy green foliage and fragrant, single white flowers. Blooms begin in late spring, with repeat flowering possible through summer and into fall.
Added in this revisionLow spreading groundcover
A low carpet of blue flowers softens the front of the rock garden. The foliage stays green through the growing season and can turn bronze-purple in winter. Its small spring display links with the garden’s purple flowers.
Added in this revisionEvergreen, grass-like perennial
Three grouped clumps of arching green leaves give the rock garden the grass-like texture you mentioned. Purple flower spikes add a seasonal accent while the foliage provides winter structure.
Added in this revisionCompact flowering perennial
Dark purple foliage and creamy white flowers echo the rest of the palette beside the stones. The flowers age toward red later in the season. This perennial dies back for winter.
The renderings bring the palette together in one view. Plants flower at different times, so they won’t all be in bloom at once. The redbud loses its leaves, the stonecrop dies back, and the grasses turn tan in winter. Gardenias, liriope and the existing Hinoki provide evergreen structure.
The plant guide uses reference photographs of the named varieties, including the same photos used in your original plant guide. They show examples of each variety, rather than the exact plants to be installed. Mature sizes are approximate. The courtyard views use the property’s 3D scan, so existing structures and vegetation retain some scan texture.
Once you’re happy with the direction, I’ll confirm the final nursery sizes, availability and pricing with Mike at Trees2Go before ordering.
The white Early Bird Frosty dianthus still needs a source confirmed. If it isn’t available, we can choose a similarly compact white variety together.
The plant choices reflect the sunny exposure we discussed; White Chocolate stonecrop needs at least six hours of direct sun. The new river rock will include geotextile fabric underneath. I’ll also confirm the Hinoki watering advice with Mike. The possible flagstone landing remains a future addition.
Take a look and let me know what you think. Once you’re happy with the direction, I’ll confirm the remaining details and we can go from there.
Thanks,
Austin