Birmingham -- Boxwood (Birmingham, Alabama)

An allée of magnolias leads to this six-acre property created in 2000 with both house and formal gardens inspired by Italianate design. Clipped boxwoods are used as foundation plants, hedges, borders for geometric parterres and formal knot gardens, at the entrance to garden rooms, and also are planted in containers. Sycamore, arborvitae, beech and crape myrtle form canopies in distinct areas, adding height and integrating the landscaped garden designed by Norman Kent Johnson with the surrounding woodlands. The boxwood are trimmed several times each year and the plants in the borders along the walkways are kept uniform. The owner strives to keep Boxwood to the original formal design.

Ornamental features include an armillary sphere on a turquoise base, statuary and faux bois garden furniture. The color turquoise recurs throughout the garden on containers planted with small trees and shrubs and in a border of blue hydrangea. The stone motor court at the entrance to the house was laid in geometric patterns that are repeated in the parterres. The pathways are covered in crushed walnut stone, and there are wide stone steps that accommodate changes in elevation and define the garden's rooms.

Persons associated with the garden include: Norman Kent Johnson, ASLA (landscape designer, 2000 - present); Richard Ireland Pigford and Andrew Spencer Hicks (architects, 2000 - present).