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EEVERY YEAR GARDEN ENTHUSIASTSlook forward to Garden Media Group’s GardenTrends Report. According to the 2013-14report, people are making new choices for theirhomes, gardens, andlandscapes. Amongthem are expandedherb gardens, a paletteof bright cheerful col-ors, nature-inspiredlandscape design, nat-ural weed and pestcontrol, miniaturecontainer gardens, col-laborative vegetablegardens, low-energylight features, greeninteriorscapes and theuse of rain gardens,rainwater harvestingand water efficientirrigation. And atDear GardenAssociates, Inc., thePrincipal Bill Dearand his staff are build-ing landscapes thatincorporate the client’s ideas and their designexpertise.

“We are seeing projects that have a higherlevel of detail—more intricate stonework,trees with interesting bark, detailed plantingswith more year-round interest, sustained color,

fragrance. Clients want attractive, well-doneoutdoor living spaces where they can immersethemselves. Three or four years ago it wasmore plants around the mailbox, screen the

neighbor, hide the generator—more practicalthings,” Bill says.

For a client in New Hope, Dear GardenAssociates, Inc. created a garden planted withlarge drifts of billowy plants that provide colorinterest throughout the year, while transition-

HIGHER LEVEL OF DETAILAccording to landscaper Bill Dear, principle of Dear Garden Associates, his clients now seek attractive outdoor spaces that reflect a higher level of detail

AtHome

BY MARY BETH SCHWARTZ

Randl Bye

S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 157

HIGHER LEVEL OF DETAIL: Opposite, (backrow left to right) Carl Andresen, Bill Dear, TimZepp, Debbie Guarino (front row left to right)Micah Mutschler and Debbie Dawicki. Top, a

Tinicum garden for edibles and cutting flowersthat reflects the character of the restored1800s farmhouse and of the property itself.Right above, a project in Tinicum to create a

much more attractive approach to the pool areaand poolhouse/guesthouse. Elements include afirepit, walls, steps, a terrace, plantings, and light-ing. Above left and bottom, a Buckingham pro-

ject that provides additional outdoor livingspace and ties it to the existing architecture.

158 B U C K S C O U N T Y M A G . C O M

ing from the more detailed gardens spacesclose surrounding the home to the back-drop of fields and meadows in the dis-tance. “Large amounts of soil were movedin order to disguise the sand mound, andthe design of the plantings beds softensfencelines and utilities in the yard, whileleading the eye to the open spaces beyondand softening the transition to the poolarea. Containers on the deck are replantedseasonally to provide additional color andinterest,” Bill says.

Customers in Buckingham wanted tohave additional outdoor living space, buttie it to the existing architecture. “We builtwalls matching the existing walls toenclose the new deck and to provide addi-tional seating. The stone and mortar in thewalls matches the previously existingwalls. We carved a 14-foot-long piece offlagstone and set it on one of the walls asa water feature. Water runs along thechannel carved into the stone, then passesthrough a hole in the stone, fallingthrough a hole in the deck so that it can

recirculate. The water feature matchesother flagstone details, but ties into themodern architectural details of the house.The water feature was added to providemovement, as well as act as a sculpturalelement as it cantilevers beyond the end ofthe wall,” Bill says.

Another part of the Buckingham pro-ject was designing an area surrounding anexisting pool. “We used granite for thepool decking to help reduce heat and tie inother features on the property. The bench-es on either end are supported bystonework matching the walls built by thehouse, and speakers are built into thebenches so that they are disguised. Theplantings are deer resistant, offer year-round interest, and tie the plantings by thehouse into the surrounding natural land-scape,” Bill says.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. createdan attractive approach to the pool area andpoolhouse/guesthouse of a Tinicum prop-erty. “This area is used as an entertainingarea and retreat in the summer. In additionto making the area more attractive, we alsowere trying to create a great feel to thearea and to provide a sense of leaving thehouse behind as you enter a new spacewith a relaxed feel. We constructed walls,steps, and a two-level terrace with adjacentfirepit area and built-in grill. The fencelinewas moved and plantings and lightingwere installed,” Bill says.

In Bedminster, homeowners wantedtheir pond area spruced up. “In what hadbeen a blank area of lawn, large slabs ofirregular shaped flagstone were set intothe grade and cantilever out over the waterin order to create a sitting area by thepond. Grasses were added to soften thestonework and to provide a more nestledfeel to the patio, while being low mainte-nance and deer resistant. Boulders wereplaced in the water to offer additionalseating and as natural docking for kayaks.Water lilies, lotus, and iris offer additionaltexture to the pond and provide color dif-ferent times of the year,” Bill says.

Over in Tinicum, Dear GardenAssociates, Inc. designed a garden for edi-

bles and cutting flowers. “The style of gar-den and materials used reflect the charac-ter of the restored 1800s farmhouse and ofthe property itself. In the garden, there arefour raised beds using large slabs of stoneto create the border and contain the soil.The paths utilize stone from the property,with open joints that have been plantedwith fragrant plants, but can withstandfoot traffic. We start by planting seeds inlater winter, then add seedling plants asthe threat of frost is reduced. We areresponsible for replanting the garden dur-ing the course of the year so that there is acontinuous succession of produce. We alsoare responsible for harvesting the fruitsand vegetables. The garden also featuresblueberry, red raspberry, and gold raspber-

ry bushes, along with strawberries,grapes, and espaliered fruit trees. Next tothe garden we planted an orchard withvarieties of apples, peaches, plums, andpears,” Bill says.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. has aninnovative group of designers to assist clientsin Eastern Pennsylvania, Central NewJersey, the Lehigh Valley, Manhattan, andthe Main Line. “A lot of new concepts aretrendy and fashionable, not timeless andlonglasting. We believe in simple, elegant,well-done designs. We are creating thingsnever seen before. For example, habitat gar-dens. We designed a large sustainable habi-tat garden for half a dozen turtles. It haswaterfalls and tunnels, as well as strawberries

Dear Garden

Associates, Inc. has an

innovative group of

designers to assist clients

in Eastern Pennsylvania,

Central New Jersey, the

Lehigh Valley, Manhattan,

and the Main Line.

Add to your Collection

For Back Issues215-766-2694

S P R I N G 2 0 1 3 159

and different things growing that they caneat,” Bill says.

Another creative concept growingin popularity is children’s gar-dens. “We can create an area

where children can play with trucks andsuch, but also incorporate tiny little treesor build houses so that they have theirown little world. One client requested afairy garden. It is a complete getawaywhere kids feel safe, and it is fenced in soparents can keep an eye on them. We havea great time designing these gardens thatmight include forts, vegetable gardens,ponds, little streams, even fairies andgnomes. It is somewhat gardening, some-what lifestyle, very much fun,” Bill says.

In business since 2004, Dear GardenAssociates, Inc. belongs to many prestigiousorganizations, including American Societyof Landscape Architects, RoyalHorticultural Society, PennsylvaniaHorticultural Society, PennsylvaniaLandscape & Nursery Association, and theexclusive Society of Garden Designers.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. also has adedicated maintenance group. This specialteam performs standard garden care, includ-ing plant fertilizing, edging, mulching, andshrub shearing. They also plant and tendvegetable gardens and containers.

“We recently started an irrigationdivision. We found that if we visit andmonitor and adjust the irrigation based onour knowledge of plants, the gardens aremore successful. We are able to keep thegardens healthier and better lookingthrough droughts and tough times of theyear,” Bill says.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. has acomprehensive gallery of their high-qual-ity projects on their Website, www.deargarden.com. They also are on Facebook.You can phone them in Bucks County at215-766-8110, or in Princeton at 609-919-0050. The company is located at6746 Old Easton Road, Pipersville, PA18947. v

MARY BETH SCHWARTZ IS A FREELANCE EDITORWHO FREQUENTLY CONTRIBUTES TO REGIONAL

PUBLICATIONS.