Calgary style
paradise Story by Tania Moffat, photos by Dorothy Dobbie A
gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the trembling aspen tree that shelters the table for two. The majes- tic falls and stone escarpment were designed around
this tree. The canopy has increased its breadth since the trunk split in two, adding a sense of intimacy to the spot where Joanna and Kevin O’Brien enjoy their morning coffee. The rising sun glistens off of the water as waking birds sing nearby or enjoy a morning drink. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to live,” exclaims Joanna of the paradise she and her husband have created. The house was a show home and was equipped with all
of the best and latest designs, the exterior, however, lacked a little je ne sais quoi. As fortune would have it, both Joanna and Kevin were engineers, and Kevin went to work measur- ing and surveying the property as they dreamed of their transformation. “We had a very specific concept in mind. As the majority
of our property is in the front, we wanted it to be spectacu- lar. We hired Calgary’s VisionScapes (
vision-scapes.ca) to undertake our major landscape project six years ago, which included water features, front and back, the outdoor kitchen and the extensive hardscaping,” explains Joanna. “Vision- Scapes bought our concept to life.” The front is nothing short of majestic. A waterfall
cascades through the 70 tons of Kootenay Brown Stone imported from near Cranbrook, B.C. The Therese Bugnet rose, to the right of the waterfall, has taken centre stage reaching a height of five feet and sporting lush pink blooms all season long. Creeping juniper, Karl Foerster grasses, roses, willows, cranberry shrubs and colourful annuals line the rocky steps, receiving the full heat of the morning sun. The transformation, hard not to notice, became a source of pride for the couple, making an ideal house, the perfect home. But, while the landscaper may have placed several plants,
Joanna and Kevin, tend to their property themselves. “We do all of the maintenance ourselves because we don’t consider it work. Gardening with your partner is great couple therapy. You learn so much about each other work- ing together. It’s a fun activity.” She says. Joanna tends to the flowers and shrubs, while Kevin takes care of mainte- nance of the lawn, waterfalls and hardscape.
20 • Beautiful Gardens 2015
Calgary’s VisionScapes undertook this major landscaping project six years ago.
Seventy tons of Kootenay Brown Stone were imported for the front.
localgardener.net
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