Birmingham is full of traditional, European-inspired homes and gardens, and it’s a language that John Golightly Wilson is well-versed in. For those homes, he speaks in boxwoods, hydrangeas, and hollies. However, when it comes to a more modern design, his voice changes.
Working to complement both the site and the interior renovation by architect Taylor Plosser Davis, John found a way to better connect the mid-century modern home to the outdoors. Hardscapes were softened with bluestone pavers, planting beds, and lawn. A new walkway created better ingress and egress to the home, and as a bonus, John was able to repurpose a custom Frank Fleming handrail from the client’s former home. “We got lucky,” John says. “The slope was similar, and we were able to find the right proportions to use the art.”
“Contemporary gardens often tend towards a minimalistic tone, which by default limits the plant palette. For this home, we knew we could still have fun with plants by using an array of textures and varying shades of green with a few pops of color.”
—John Golightly Wilson
The existing pool, terrace, and retaining walls remained. John reconfigured part of the terrace by removing concrete paving that abutted the house and replacing it with grass. Wood was elevated with Ipe decking, and a new cable rail system underscored the streamlined look.
Hardscape in place, John filled in planting areas with a diverse tapestry of greenery. He says his earliest ideas leaned too modern—think columnar trees and trimmed hedges—but then he realized that was too predictable. Instead, he wove together a loose yet considerate installation of both native and zone-tolerant plants that would soften the architecture and continue to create interest over time and through all seasons.
In the Mix
Trees:
Chinese Evergreen Dogwood
Hornbeam
Sourwood
Laceleaf Japanese Maple
Longleaf Pine
Flowers:
Anemone
Purple Coneflower
Fall Aster
Blackeyed Susan
Blackberry Lily
Greenery, Herbs, and
Flowering Shrubs:
Blue Shadow Fothergilla
Green Aucuba
Lenten Rose
Little Henry Sweetspire
Mountain Mint
Big Leaf Paper Plant
Prostrate Rosemary
Witch Hazel
Resources:
Landscape: John Golightly Wilson and Landscape Services, Inc. Renovation: Taylor Plosser Davis Architecture + Design
