FINE GARDENING MAGAZINE

ECO-FRIENDLY IN EVERY WAY

This nature-inspired design prioritizes natives and sustainable hardscaping to create an environmentally conscious yet functional space

BY JEFF LORENZ AND KAYLA FELL

FINE GARDENING | DECEMBER 2024

A GARDEN IN TOTAL HARMONY WITH NATURE AND PEOPLE ALIKE. This small landscape is filled with dense, wildlife-friendly native plantings and lots of sustainably sourced, permeable hardscape, but it still has plenty of outdoor living spaces to enjoy.

Narberth is one of many neighborhoods on the historic Main Line in Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Known as America’s Garden Capital, this area is home to a variety of public gardens, arboreta, and renowned landscapes that reflect our nation’s love for fine garden design and horticulture. Therefore, when the opportunity arose in 2018 to purchase a property in this desirable location, we seized it. What many would have seen as a neglected property, we saw as a hidden gem with much potential.

While we feel fortunate to be surrounded by so much creative inspiration, many traditional gardening practices no longer fit into our changing climate. It’s increasingly clear that gardeners must instead break some rules by creating a new paradigm that works with, rather than against, the natural world. A former rental property, our new home’s green spaces felt uninspired and were awash with bullying undesirables like English ivy (Hedera helix). We craved an immersive environment for our young family that was reminiscent of our time spent in nature. Seeking to create opportunities to both observe and be hidden, we made an outdoor refuge that was functional, resilient, and beautiful while being welcoming to all its inhabitants—people and wildlife alike.