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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
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Photograph by Dan Dreyfus
When David Blakely and husband, Michael Wetle, purchased their historic Central West End home back in 2004, they immediately fell in love with the water features that dominated the back yard but felt that the space lacked the definition necessary to really showcase the pool, pond, and fountain already in place. To bring out the beauty of the space, Blakely planted evergreen hedges, perennials, and other greenery to more effectively separate spaces within the yard while adding variety and height to achieve visual balance.
Blakely also installed pathways to accommodate the couple’s dogs, Baxter and Charlie, striving to integrate the pathways with the existing brickwork. Some plants were moved and others added to create a perennial-heavy space that emphasizes varied textures, with clusters of fuzzy lamb’s ear, wispy grasses, and shiny-leafed hedges juxtaposed with the water plants populating the goldfish pond.
Blakely views the seasonal changes as an evolution that offers surprises and inspires new ideas and projects each year.
“We love to entertain and enjoy the yard most when we have family and friends over for a drink and a swim,” he says. “I love the intimate areas of our yard. I like to think of the space as a journey filled with surprising elements. I love creating those elements.”
