when I was a young boy. [The home I grew up in is only two blocks away] My friends and I built hideaways and paths through the weeds and generallly had a lot of fun.
A few years later this building was put up... and served as an auto tire store for many years.
When they eventually moved out the building was purchased by a local family who owned several jewelry stores. The family renovated the exterior and interior to an extensive degree... and opened another jewelry store.


When they approached us about the landscape they made it clear they wanted something that reflected the quality of the products they sold. We asked them if low maintenance was a priority and they said no as long as our efforts and theirs resulted in "something special."
We responded with a rose garden at the main entrance,

The pathway in this photo meanders past the central bed of roses, then doubled back to the front entrance to the store. There was also a shorter main entrance to the building.
The planting scheme consisted of specimen Japanese Maples, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Dwarf Yaupon Holly and Spreading Japanese Yew. The most significant planting, however, consisted of a large number of White Meidiland Roses [Rosa meicoublan] and several red grandiflora Roses.
The rest of the land was given over to a lush green fescue lawn and specimen trees and stand alone shrubs. One example: in the first photo the plants growing under the store's signage are Dwarf Tanyosho Pines. Shade trees included 'Caddo' Sugar Maples, Trident Maples, Shantung Maples and the owners favorite; American Smoketrees.