In February, we were honoured with another Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence. Here is the story of this project.
The challenge of a ¾-acre backyard was one that we at Moon Glow Lightscapes were more than willing to accept. With some features emphasized as being important, we were given creative control by the client for this special property.
Features included two memorial angels, an assortment of smaller statues, a pergola placed along the back of the property (where you can view the river), and several mature trees with the highlight being an original Carolinian Forest Hackberry, said to be over 300 years old according to an arborist. The space was sectioned in two – an upper area that included the patio & pool area; and the lower parkland-style space. The armor stone wall that marks the change in areas was bathed with subtle wall washing. With so many large trees we achieved functional and elegant path lighting by downlight (only 12 path lights appeared in this layout of 117 total fixtures). We complemented several of the trees with grazing, up-lighting and soft washing. In two locations we employed a cooler colour temperature to highlight specific specimens – Blue Spruce and Nootka trees. A bench along the flagstone path was also accented with downlight and a soft wash of the trees in behind. Only after we revealed the project did we learn that the homeowner would sit on this bench to look back at the house he designed and built!
The entire yard is tied together seamlessly with the correct lighting level. There is safe passage throughout to allow you to enjoy all of the gorgeous views in the evening.
Good Spring weather allowed for an April install (small additions were made later that year). This was to our benefit as the lush perennial plantings would have been troublesome to install within if they were in full bloom.
