Landscape Designer and firm Principal, Danilo Maffei, CPLD, PCH, FAPLD gave a presentation to the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) at their virtual membership meetup on the subject of his award-winning perennial garden for the Nemours Farm Courtyard at Stockton Montmorency, a private estate in Delaware. (scroll down for more information and the plant list)

Conceived as part of a 65-acre master plan, the courtyard is set before a 19th century stone barn and modern stable complex that now serves for the entertainment of family and friends rather than breeding world-class racehorses. When we first visited the site, it was in a state of neglect and nature had reclaimed the once formal, European-style space. This contrast of human construction and natural succession inspired us to create a wild garden that would ebb and flow with the seasons, relying as much on form and texture as it does on seasonal color. Likewise, the owners desired a vibrant, resilient plant palette that would not be reliant upon constant grooming to look its best. Since the garden is a considerable distance from the main house, we wanted to create a place that was constantly changing to encourage the owners to take a stroll and discover what is happening and enjoy the evolution of the seasons, with the climax in late summer and early fall.

Plant List

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' (Skyracer purple moor grass)

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian' (Cassian fountain grass)

Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie dropseed)

Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' (Paprika common yarrow)

Achillea 'Moonshine' (Moonshine yarrow)

Aster cordifolius 'Little Carlow' (Little Carlow blue wood aster)

Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’(syn. Symphiotrichum) (aromatic aster)

Coreopsis 'Limerock Ruby' (Limerock Ruby tickseed)

Coreopsis palustris 'Summer Sunshine' (Swamp tickseed)

Coreopsis tripteris (Tickseed)

Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' (Zagreb threadleaf tickseed)