A
small piece of paradise is perched in the middle of Elm Grove on
Marjorie Clark Takton’s property. The 5-acre parcel has been in her
family for decades and is the location of her childhood home. Takton
tore down the original house and built a new home for her extended
family to enjoy.
Along with the new home came a landscape redesign, creating a
serene place. "My goal was to create a resort-like feel and an
ideal setting for entertaining, fundraising events and family
gatherings," says Jean Hanson, a landscape architect with Terra
Tec Landscaping in Richfield.
For Takton, the existing pond and stream needed to be an intricate
part of the redesign. "I love the running water in the
yard," Takton says. "The pond is very important to me."
Hansen incorporated traditional European gardens with American
style gardens by blending symmetrical, formal and tailored (manicured)
sections of the yard with native American plants and ornamental
grasses planted in groups.
She considered the diverse mix of environmental conditions when it
came to plant choices — wet and dry soils, full sun, deep shade,
bitterly cold winters, spring floods, intense summer heat and a
roaming deer population.
The result is a continuous flow of curving terraces, undulating
contours and year-round seasonal interest for Takton and her family.
 |
The idyllic
beauty of this stream and pond greets visitors as they enter the
Takton property.
|
The swimming pool area is an oasis of
color, relaxation and recreation for Takton and her guests. The
area has a lot of seasonal interest by using a combination of
spruce and boxwood (both evergreen), knockout roses, annuals and
various daylilies.
|
 |
 |
There are
several "secret gardens" scattered throughout the
property, special sitting areas for people as they stroll the
rolling topography. This is a stream overlook area that includes
a Carpinus or Musclewood tree.
|
