Hess Landscape Architects

NJASLA AWARD

We recently entered our 27th Street project into an awards competition sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  The jury must have liked what they saw, because we were selected for an award! 
We were honored to have been selected by the awards jury as one of ten winners out of thirty-three entrants.  Perhaps most humbling though was that of the award winners, we were one of only two selected for an Honor Award, the highest distinction bestowed by the Chapter for landscape architectural design. 
The award was presented at the recent NJ ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo in Atlantic City NJ.  This symposium is typically excellent, and this year was no exception.  The Annual Meeting Committee put together a great series of lectures on a cross-section of topical subjects, and the trade show vendors got to show off some exciting new products.  Fellowship and networking opportunities also enabled further interaction with other LA’s and allied professions. 
We would like to thank the members of the awards jury for the recognition, and the Chapter leadership for putting on a fantastic conference!

27th Street

The Awards Presentation

The Honored Recipients

WELCOME ALEX!

It is our pleasure to introduce you to the newest member of our team, Alex Shisler.  Alex began working with us just before the holidays and has added depth to our staff.  Alex graduated from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse NY with a Master of Landscape Architecture degree.  Following graduation, Alex remained in Syracuse and joined an environmental non-profit which facilitated passing the city’s first green infrastructure programs through federal legislation.  He then shifted his focus, moved to the Big Apple, and worked on high-end residential projects throughout Manhattan and Eastern Long Island.

We are happy to have Alex working with us; he brings a fresh eye and outlook to the team.  We hope his strong background in sustainable landscape practices will further strengthen the eco-friendly attributes of our designs.  Alex will work closely with the rest of the team, incorporating his skills from the conceptualization phase through construction documentation on projects.  We are happy to have Alex working with us – welcome!

Congratulations are in order!

An important member of our team, Jimmy Moran has recently passed his licensing exam and now can finally put the drudgery of studying behind him and begin to focus on his career.  He has earned the honor and distinctive title of “Landscape Architect”.

We are very proud of his accomplishment and look forward toward working together on many future projects.  We raise our glass to you-cheers!

The Bank Barn

We recently attended a post-construction party celebrating the completion of a bank barn after two years of designing and building.  Our client led the design team as we strove to make her vision a reality.  Collaborating with Archer Buchanan Architecture, LTD and a talented team of Amish craftsmen, we endeavored to create a beautiful, yet functional space to house the client’s beloved horses as well as to entertain guests.

The party was a success, with all members involved in the process enthusiastically discussing their various roles as they wandered through the barn.  We were excited to hear all of the positive remarks over various elements of the project, from the hand crafted metal handles to the impeccable stonework.  It was very gratifying for us to hear our client’s enthusiasm and pride over the finished product.

Under a clear blue sky, a beautiful and edible rendition of the barn, created in cake by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) was cut and served.

Here are some pictures from the day:

Graceful bank barn entrance

Gorgeous Barn Doors

Celebrating the completion of the barn

The edible barn by The Poppysmack Cakery

One of our favorite shots of the horse’s new home

Fall Color

As the temperatures continue to drop, so do the leaves of many of our trees…but not before they put on their final show of the season.
 
We all know leaves are green because of the presence of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis.  As trees shut down for winter, photosynthesis becomes unnecessary and chlorophyll starts to degrade along with the prominent green coloration.  Other hidden pigments already present within the leaf are then expressed visually, such as yellow xanthophylls and orange beta-carotene.  However other pigments (anthocyanins) which produce brilliant reds and purples must be chemically synthesized from other compounds present within the leaf.  The quantity of available coloration pigments and raw ingredients, as well as the timing of chlorophyll breakdown itself will influence how a plant’s coloration is ultimately expressed.

Environmental factors dictate the amount and intensity of fall coloration (temperature/degree days, heat spikes, diurnal shift, soil temperature, drought, excessive rainfall, etc.).  The precise combination of these influences will fluctuate in a temperate climate such as ours (USDA Hardiness Zone 6-B), assuring recurrent climatological distinction not just between seasons, but also within seasons.  This variation assures that no two years will produce exactly the same fall coloration results among our deciduous plant life.  Think of it as Mother Nature’s way of rolling out a new line of apparel for the fall season every year! 

yellow leaves canvas the drive as you approach the house

no shortage of color here!

For the sake of simplification I tend to compare the current season’s fall color to mental snapshots of previous years, and have adopted a three-tier scale to rate the overall display – below average, average, and above average.  This year started out as below average, as early-coloring Ash trees shed leaves with little color change.  This soon improved markedly though, as all species of Maple trees had exceptionally good seasons for color; the Red Maples in my own yard had their best display ever in fact, flaunting brilliant reds and yellows simultaneously for nearly ten days.  Plants that transform late in the season such as Oaks, Viburnums, Sweetspire, and certain Hydrangeas have also shown appropriate levels of coloration.
 
Final conclusion:  I’m calling 2011 an “Above-Average” year.  This was the wettest year on record for the region, which I’m sure played a factor in determining coloration.  At least there was a silver lining to the seemingly endless rain we endured from August through mid-October!

stunning reds found in leaves and fruits

Fall Blooms

From time to time, various members of our office staff will be posting on our blog, expounding on topics within their particular areas of interest and expertise.  As one of the office’s resident “plant geeks,” horticulture is where the majority of my entries will focus, and with any luck they will be at least slightly more engrossing than watching paint dry!

Typically we view fall as a time for the landscape to begin dormancy, as the garden settles in for its winter slumber.  However, there are quite a few plants that are just hitting their stride once the air turns a little chilly.  The following are two late-blooming perennials worthy of greater consideration.

Tatarian Aster (Aster tataricus ‘Jindai’):  Asters are one of the true kings of fall for showy bloom, and Jindai Tatarian Aster is further proof of this (photographed below alongside Switch Grass and Joe Pye Weed).  Found in Japan by Rick Darke, this selection is shorter than the species at about 4’ tall.  Like other Asters, this remains unassuming during the spring and summer months before putting on its big performance in the fall, with pale lavender daisy-like flowers borne above the foliage.  However ‘Jindai’ has two big advantages.  First, unlike other Asters that tend to look weedy during the summer, the foliage on this plant is heavier and more abundant, producing a nicer texture in the border.  Secondly, most Asters begin to bloom in early September and are basically finished by mid-October…but not this one.  ‘Jindai’ is just beginning to bloom here in mid-October, and does not stop until mid-November.  This provides a nice late-season shot of color to the garden juxtaposed against fall foliage, and the blooms are enticing for last-minute butterflies to grab a snack.  ‘Jindai’ does best in full sun and well-drained soil, but does appear somewhat tolerant of heavier soil.

Hybid Anemone (Anemone x hybrid ‘Honorine Jobert’):  Another exceptionally showy fall bloomer.  ‘Honorine Jobert’ produces masses of pure white single blooms 2” across with yellow stamens in the centers.  They tolerate a wide range of exposures, blooming in both full sun or part shade.  One of the last perennials to leaf out in the spring, Hybrid Anemones spread by rhizomes to form dense colonies.  Give them plenty of room to spread, as they will quickly form unbroken mats of foliage.  Any unwanted growth is easily removable to keep the habit of the plant in check, and plants typically respond well to spring division.  Basal, three-lobed foliage is neat and tidy, and held within 18” of the ground, so they remain neutral partners to summer-blooming companion perennials.  Starting around Labor Day, the plants send sinewy flower shoots above the foliage (30” – 42”), and the blooms persist until the first hard frost.  It also makes an excellent cut flower.

Metal Arbor

It’s very gratifying when old clients love and respect your design ideas enough that they want you back to develop a different aspect of their property.  About a year ago while working in the office the phone rang, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was a former client requesting that we perform new work.  Years ago we completed a pool and pool house for the homeowners; a few years later we redeveloped their driveway and entrance to their home.  Now they wanted us to recreate a vision they had seen while traveling in Italy for their home.  We were able to work with their idea and fashion a beautiful metal arbor that spans their rear terrace overlooking the pool and pool house.  Intentionally spare in its proportions, the delicate metal structure was constructed last fall and planted with Bignonia, a semi-evergreen, flowering vine.  Just a few days ago I was nearby, so I stopped in to see how it was evolving one year hence.  It just happened to be a bright and beautiful September day and I couldn’t resist taking some photos.  Here are a few of my favorites:

a little piece of italy

in just one year the bignonia is already reaching across

the arbor

Squirrel House Photo Shoot

As much as we try to create an instant and lively garden, like fine wine, landscapes need time to mature, grow, and age.  This past June, we were finally able to photograph a project that has been gracefully aging since 2008.  To try and capture the blood, sweat, and tears that went into creating this estate, we had to find a photographer that not only appreciates landscape, but has a creative eye and talent for capturing the essence of place. 
Stephen Govel Photography proved the perfect confederate and conspirator to bring into the fold, and we were fortunate to be able to foster our relationship with him further through this process.  Stephen is enthusiastic, energetic, and imaginative.  Even a cursory glance of his work reveals he is not an ordinary photographer.  He sees the world around him with a different perspective than most, and is able to lucidly draw that discernment and talent into his work. 
Steve was up before dawn to meet Chuck and Alan at the property.  He patiently waited for the morning sun rise to begin shooting.  A great morning shoot seamlessly segued into an all-day event.  The day ended with everyone braving a strong thunderstorm to get a few extra night shots.  Most of the photographs are posted under our projects page (see Squirrel House), but here are a few of our other favorites… 

Natural Stone Slab Steps

Custom Wrought Iron Fence

Stepping Stones

Nice Hanging Pot Detail

Braving the Storm…

International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo

Every year there is a 6 day conference for the pool, spa, and backyard industry.  This event brings together architects, designers, builders, retailers, and service technicians to discuss new products, trade standards, and best practices.  Along with a large vendor trade show, a series of seminars and presentations are also included.  As usual this year it is being held in Sin City - Las Vegas, Nevada.  I am honored that they have invited me to present with fellow professional Brian Van Bower, to discuss the benefits of teamwork and collaboration during the construction of pool projects.  I have worked with Brian in the past and he is a very talented pool designer, leading the industry in construction methods and products.  Below are a few stills from the presentation we will be giving.  Better post these now because everyone knows what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Bahamas Pool

Award Winning Pool by Brian Van Bower

Welcome To Our Blog

Over the years Hess Landscape Architects has had the privilege of creating unique exterior spaces for many clients. Until now, we have not had the opportunity to invite everyone along for the process. Our methods are intense, collaborative, and fun. We hope this blog will serve as a medium where we can share the progress of current projects, talk about the use of specialty products, and give an insider’s look at the construction of a landscape. Whether you have an aching for Achillea, a fancy for flagstone, or a yen for yews, we hope to touch on facets of our work which we value and feel are worth sharing. Thanks for reading, and welcome to our Blog!