Stillwater, Minnesota
Diane’s home landscape includes the front entry with Japanese-style garden, enclosed arbor garden, limestone back patio, Trex deck, paths through the restored three acre oak savanna and woods. The design includes a wide array of low maintenance trees, shrubs, perennials with prairie and other native plants found naturally in the beautiful St. Croix River valley. Diane provided the complete master plan and project management. (See Gallery)
St. Paul, Minnesota
In this colorful cottage garden, perennials and veggies intermix with native prairie and woodland plants creating abundant garden for edibles as well as for pollinators and birds. The new front walk curves through the garden up to a lovely small patio near the front door—enjoyed by friends and welcoming to neighbors and passers-by… (See Gallery)
Peace Welling Studio in Mahtomedi, Minnesota
This design was created for enjoyment of the family and as a peaceful retreat for clients of Kirsten’s yoga, meditation, and massage therapy studio. The yin-yang layout of the stone patio and pond is uniquely designed for the client.
(See Gallery)
North Hudson, Wisconsin
Beautiful outdoor living spaces with patios, pathways, major stone outcropping walls, new driveway and roof catchment system, planted with easy-care gardens, short-grass prairie savanna and woodland. Sustainable landscaping was a component in receiving LEED Gold Certification, John Kalmon, Architect A.I.A. Master plan design and project management. (See Gallery)
Hastings, Minnesota
An education center with an upper and lower pond connected by a stream with beach area for birds, concrete walk and bridge, outcropping stones (moved from other areas of the preserve), and wide variety of native plants for naturalists to teach about to the St. Paul students. Carpenter NC is open to the public. Diane provided a complete master plan design and project management of the professional landscapers and volunteers. (See Gallery)
Plymouth, Minnesota
This residential landscape goes surprisingly far beyond the usual, traditional garden design with its classical urns, rose-covered arch, colorful array of plants, and swimming pool surrounded by patio and shade arbor. (See Gallery)
St. Paul, Minnesota
This beautiful backyard includes a new three-level deck with garden viewing platform, vegetable/herb garden, and a small waterfall with pond. The water garden creates “white noise,” softening the sounds of the city, while the small pebbled beach allows birds to easily drink and bathe.
(See Gallery)
Stillwater, Minnesota
An attractive, curving front walk now entices visitors to enjoy the shady entrance gardens. The backyard was re-graded so water flows into rain gardens, finally reaching the street-side raingarden filled with colorful, pollinator-friendly plants. (See Gallery)
Stillwater, Minnesota
Avid gardeners worked alongside helping create a unique water garden with many small falls, 90′ stream, stone bridges and Japanese-style lower pond. Large deck, stone front entry steps, pathways and extensive plantings complete the quiet retreat. Master plan design and project management. (See Gallery)
Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
Arched natural stone wall with Bedford cap, brick patio, and natural stone pathway overlook a pine forest. The gardens are protected from intense deer pressure by tall see-through fencing with wide-access gates. Master plan and project management. (See Gallery)
Stillwater, Minnesota
Wheelchair accessible patios and paths were carefully built into the backyard woodland edge. A wide diversity of native and cultivated trees, shrubs, flowers and ferns were planted in the raingarden, sunny beds, shaded Japanese garden and oak woodlands. Management of invasive plants such as European buckthorn and garlic mustard is an aspect of the project. Master plan design and project management in phases over three years. (See Gallery)
Edina, Minnesota
The front entry showcases broad stone steps and brick planters integrated with the house, three patios, driveway and curved stone steps to the tennis court. Plants include hardy, easy-care trees and shrubs as well as colorful, jewel-toned cultivated perennials and native prairie forbs and grasses, wildflowers and ferns. Complex grading, soil work and drainage. Worked closely with Rehkamp Larson Architects, A.I.A., to site the home. Design and project management in three phases over several years. (See Gallery)
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Working with almost exclusively local, native plants, an easy-care landscape was created for the public to enjoy. Salt-tolerant plants were used along Main Street, a quiet “inner-path” sanctuary was created inside a birch grove, short colorful prairie borders the sidewalks and woodland wildflowers and ferns soften the front entry area below the roof openings. Planting plan and project management. (See Gallery)
Liberty on The Lake, Stillwater, Minnesota
Street-side, sun gardens transition to backyard living areas with low deck, free-standing stone wall, stepping stone paths and veggie garden. Brick edging and easy-care native and cultivated plants are featured. Master plan design and project management. (See Gallery)
Various Locations
Diane was project manager for all of the designs on this website. These are a few construction photographs. (See Gallery)