Native plants are the energetic heartbeat for this Chestertown, MD historic district garden. The project was started in 2005 by the late John Gutting, a landscape architect known for his pioneering vision to protect and promote the use of indigenous plants throughout Maryland. But he died in late 2006 before the project moved into it’s final and largest phase of design. A year later the owners hired South Fork Studio to complete the design, knowing that they would carry on with the same spirit and dedication to thoughtful, ecological design that John Gutting was known for.

The final phase of design revolved around a major addition and renovation to the historic house. The landscape architectural scope of work included items that built off of the Gutting design; native plants, expansion of the paver driveway and responsible storm water management. But also included new elements like a pool renovation, pool house, pool paving, and a complete rethinking of the integration and separation of indoor and outdoor spaces to create privacy and functionality. Hidden within and under the completed hardscape is a drainage system that captures all runoff from within the property and off the roof, and sends it to a rain garden located at the low point of the property. Here, amidst Blue Flag Iris and Elderberry, storm water is given time to infiltrate back into the soil. Garden gates, brick walls, cedar fencing, soils and low voltage lighting were also part of the new design.

The LA designed the project and managed construction for all site related work.