Pittsburgh -- Mark Meaders - David Kozloff Garden

Work on this three-quarter acre hillside garden began in 1988 when wild growth was cleared and desirable plants were pruned. The property faces north and its shape is mostly a long rectangle with additional space to one side at the bottom. In 1989 masses of impatiens were planted for summer color followed by quantities of bulbs planted in the fall. Then perennials were planted in any open space. Eventually the plants that adapted best came to dominate and provide successive blooms for three seasons. First in spring are yellow daffodils, purple Hesperia, and white spirea from the owner's mother's garden. Next are azaleas, rhododendron and dogwood, followed by self-seeding foxgloves in white, purple and pink. As these decline red and white roses, daylilies in many colors, and red crocosmia and monarda come into bloom in full summer. Hydrangeas in blue or white follow then fade to green along with limelight hydrangea. In September white Montauk daisies start up and bloom until hard frosts; an earlier garden from 1939 contributes red burning bush. Japanese maples and fothergilla complete the colorful seasons. Bricks were salvaged from old houses in the neighborhood that were being demolished and used to build paths. A bamboo grove that is contained by a dry moat hides the secret garden: two benches in perpetual shade. A white marble spire purchased at auction is a focal point and complements a neighboring church steeple. There is a vegetable patch protected by deer fencing and a sunroom/greenhouse that was added to the house in 2005. Even before the sunroom was built the owner dug out a small pond with a waterfall at the house's back door. A larger 25-foot pond was created near the bamboo grove followed by a 12 by 15-foot pond with a waterfall best viewed from the house, another small pond outside the sunroom, and finally a 10 by 10-foot pond near the vegetable garden. As a final touch thousands of tiny lights were wrapped around trunks and into the canopies of small trees for nighttime illumination. Persons associated with the garden's design: Cathryn Brandau, fellow gardener (1988- ); Robert Meaders, AIA, gardener and landscape designer (periodically); Mark Meaders, owner and gardener (1988- ).