Winchell Native Perennial Garden
Winchell Native Perennial Garden
Before & After
The Challenge
The homeowners had a struggling, water-hungry lawn on a shady lot with heavy clay soil. They wanted a low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly front yard that would stand out in their historic Winchell neighborhood.
The Results
Within two seasons, the garden was alive with monarchs, swallowtails, and hummingbirds. The homeowners report spending 75% less time on yard maintenance and their water bill dropped significantly. Multiple neighbors have inquired about similar designs.
Project Details
- Type
- Front Yard Redesign
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Completed
- 2024-06-15
The Solution
We designed a layered native perennial garden that replaced 80% of the existing lawn. The design features wild columbine, purple coneflower, wild bergamot, and little bluestem grass with a meandering flagstone path to the front door.
We amended the clay soil with compost and installed a simple rain garden swale to capture roof runoff. The remaining lawn was converted to a fine fescue no-mow mix.
Our front yard went from the most boring on the street to the most admired. We get compliments constantly and the butterflies are incredible.
Inspired by This Transformation?
Every landscape has a story waiting to unfold. Explore more of our work or get in touch to begin your own journey toward a thriving, beautiful outdoor space.