The garden design is heavily influenced by a sense of order and symmetry. Matching potted trees mark the transition from the lawn to the patio. The patio border features quintessential plantings for any Twin Cities garden: hydrangeas, arborvitae, boxwood, nepeta, astilbe, and a columnar birch in the corner. The arbors along the garage will eventually fill in with clematis vines – softening the look and adding more color to the empty wall. Chunky hardwood mulch has a great visual texture and will add nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Photography by Drew Gray