Case Study: Raised Bed Garden Design Near Oxmoor Country Club
Client Background
Elber met with Tom R. at his home near Oxmoor Country Club, an area known for large properties and highly visible landscapes. Because of the proximity to the golf course and its members, the garden needed to look refined, intentional, and well maintained from a distance.
The existing landscape felt overgrown and dated. Several statues had been inherited from Tom’s grandparents, but they were not well showcased within the space. Tom wanted to preserve these sentimental pieces while creating a more polished and structured garden. He envisioned raised beds with layered height but did not have specific plants in mind. His inspiration came from a nearby subdivision with bold plantings and strong visual presence.
Project Goals
- Create a clean, elevated garden design that enhanced visibility from a distance
- Highlight and preserve existing statues and stone feature
- Build raised beds with layered height and proper drainage
- Use large, statement plants with strong visual impact
- Refresh the space while keeping some original materials
Planning and Design Process
Initial Walkthrough
Elber walked the property with Tom to understand the layout, elevation changes, and existing materials. Together, they discussed how to best feature the statues and create a garden that felt intentional rather than overgrown.
Design Direction
Because Tom did not have specific plant preferences, the design focused on structure, scale, and visibility. The goal was to use plants with larger blooms and strong forms that would stand out even when viewed from farther away.
Material Integration
About 20 percent of the materials were already present on the property, including rocks and statues. These were incorporated into the new design to maintain character while modernizing the space.
Installation Process
The project took approximately two months from the initial meeting to completion. Construction and planting were completed in stages.
Key Installation Steps
- Removal of previous vegetation
- Construction of limestone retaining walls to create raised beds
- Drainage planning, with the higher wall draining into the lower wall to support plants needing more moisture
- Filling raised beds with high-quality topsoil
- Extensive soil compacting to properly support plants in newly added soil
- Installation of plants without landscape fabric to allow unrestricted growth
The wall construction alone took about a week and a half, forming the foundation for the layered planting design.
Plant and Material Selection
Primary Plants Used
- Hydrangea for bold blooms and seasonal interest
- Ninebark for structure and color
- Ornamental grasses for texture and movement
The combination of these plants provided height variation, strong visual impact, and year-round interest while complementing the stonework and statues.
Limestone Wall Design
The limestone walls were built with functionality in mind. The upper wall drains into the lower level, allowing excess water to flow downward and naturally retain moisture for plants that benefit from it.
Final Result
The finished garden transformed an outdated, overgrown space into a structured and visually striking landscape. The raised beds and limestone walls created depth and dimension, while the statues now serve as clear focal points rather than hidden elements.
The bold plant choices ensure the garden makes an impact from a distance, fitting the setting near Oxmoor Country Club while preserving the property’s history and character. The result is a refined, layered landscape that balances tradition with modern design.
