In purchasing an existing home in Wayzata, Minn., on Lake Minnetonka, the buyers’ intentions were to raze the existing structure and build their dream home — a private lakeside retreat for their family. The existing lot presented many challenges, however, including some difficult elevation changes, lack of privacy from a location on a busy street, and the desire to preserve existing vegetation.  The couple looked to Otten Bros. Nursery & Landscaping to help solve their landscaping challenges. Otten Bros., in Long Lake, Minn. is a full-service residential design and build firm, with a team of four landscape designers on staff. Otten Bros. has been part of the Lake Minnetonka area for well over half a century. Rob LaFavor, landscape designer at Otten Bros., worked closely with the couple, not only to solve the challenges faced by the landscape, but to incorporate the homeowners’ desire for a lakeside retreat.

Three pots with flowers add color to stone steps. One of the pots is a recycled urn formerly used by a sculptor to hold molten material.

Interesting focal points “The driveway and plantings shield the house from being viewed from the street, but once you arrive at the house, the landscape opens up and welcomes you,” LaFavor said. Another goal of this project was to create a variety of spaces within the landscape so that the homeowners could interact with their landscape.

“One sitting area leads to the backyard, and then you see steps, which take you to another part of the yard with a garden,” said LaFavor. “We created a series of different spaces with interesting little focal points.”  This accomplished the homeowners’ wish for special areas throughout the lakeshore property for relaxing, gardening and entertaining.  Focal points and special touches in the many “garden rooms” include meaningful mementos from the homeowners’ travels. Several sculptures rise from flower beds, hand prints of grandchildren adorn brick steppers and, if you look closely at one of the flower pots on the steps, you’ll find it really is a container formerly used by a sculptor to hold molten material.

One metal sculpture is a work by Minnesotan Paul Granlund. Unlike many homeowners who remove all existing vegetation and plant grass, the homeowners and LaFavor wanted to work the existing trees and shrubs into the landscape design. “We kept existing vegetation and added hydrangeas, hostas and other plants,” he said. “We tried to make the plantings as sustainable and maintenance free as possible.”  Many homeowners make the mistake of planting too many colors and varieties of plants, LaFavor said. He prefers to take a different approach, a more subtle approach. Working with the existing vegetation and using plants and natural building materials, he is able to complement the landscape instead of detracting from it.

A hedge of alpine currant was planted to prevent geese from continuing to ruin the lawn.

LaFavor used some interesting solutions to common problems of lakeshore residents. For example, the pump equipment by the lake isunsightly, but a necessity. LaFavor suggested planting a tough and hardy yet attractive perennial called fleece flower to camouflage the equipment during the growing season. Before winter, the perennial is cut to the ground, allowing space for the docks to be stored. In spring, the plant returns to its full size. 

LaFavor also used plants to quell the large geese population that had all but ruined the lawn for the previous homeowner. “I know geese like to be able to see a distance from where they’re at, so I suggested we try growing a hedge of currant to discourage them from landing on the property.” The hedge worked and the geese have found other feeding sites.  “I don’t normally use a hedge along a lakeshore, but the geese had previously killed the whole lawn.”

A cart with impatiens and lobelia peeks out of a shady spot next to a hydrangea in full bloom.

Working with homeowners  “The homeowners and I worked together a great deal,” LaFavor said. “I knew their goals and we worked out many of the details as we walked around the property together. The site tells me more thingsthan sitting in the office. You need to understand how the homeowners will use the space so you can get the most out of it.”

LaFavor obviously found the right solution for these homeowners, as well as a beautiful one. The landscape design for this site won an award for environmental improvement from the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association.  LaFavor “designed in” many areas that allowed the homeowners to have wonderful seasonal color. The annual flowers are planted and maintained by Jeanne Salonek of Sunshine Gardens. 

 

 

 

 

Tips for hiring a landscape designer Rob LaFavor from Otten Bros. Nursery & Landscaping recommends that homeowners who are looking for landscape assistance only work with certified, licensed and insured professionals.  He offers the following tips for hiring landscapers: • Don’t be afraid to ask for qualifications; ask about the designers’ education and certifications. • Ask whether the company belongs to any professional landscaping associations; in Minnesota, the largest organization is the Minnesota Nursery and Landscaping Association (MNLA). • Ask for references and examples of their work. • Beware of landscapers who want you to spend money on things you wouldn’t use, such as a fire pit, outdoor kitchen or pool, if you spend most weekends in the summer elsewhere.

By Barb Umberger

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