Portfolio

Quarter-acre eco-transformation (Lindsay)

The clients of this quarter-acre property in downtown Lindsay were tired of mowing the lawn and looking to create a vibrant, ecologically-friendly space. They are keen to include many features, including edible gardens, meadows, and a small urban forest.

Carbon Wise developed the overall concept plan, and construction drawings for each component. Phase 1 began in spring of 2023, with the installation of a native hedgerow, urban forest, and a large rain garden that captures the majority of runoff from the house roof.

Design and installation by Carbon Wise Landscape Design, with additional installation support from A New Leaf Gardens.

A tear drop shaped rain garden that extends from the deck to beyond the garage. It is freshly mulched, with many young plants. An existing Magnolia tree is visible toward the back of the garden.
AFTER – RAIN GARDEN
The slim branch of a young cedar tree is in focus in the foreground. A long, narrow hedgerow extends away from the cedar down the length of the property line.
AFTER – HEDGEROW DETAIL
Plan (2D) view of part of the property - the front yard is cut off. A large meadow with mown paths connects all the other features, including a forested area and raised bed vegetable garden, with greenhouse.
DESIGN CONCEPT – PLAN VIEW
A large backyard lawn dominates the foreground. In the background, an old, two-story house with an unfinished deck and large garage are visible. There is very little privacy from the neighbours on the left.
BEFORE

Low-carbon driveway using reclaimed pavers (Peterborough)

It was important to the clients that the carbon emissions of their new driveway were kept to a minimum. Instead of using new concrete pavers, which have a huge carbon footprint, we sourced used pavers for a low-carbon, cost effective solution.

The new driveway is edged with a low-profile cedar retaining wall to demarcate the parking area. Hardy native species like Little Bluestem and Prairie Smoke have been added planted in the shallow space between the cedar and an existing concrete edge, to create more pollinator benefit and a gentle transition to the neighbour’s property.

Design by Carbon Wise Landscape Design. Installation by the clients with support from Douglas Works Peterborough.

The edge of the driveway taken at grounds-eye view. A cedar post is cut with its front face on an angle, away from the photographer. There is a second level of the cedar wall that begins further up, creating a stepped effect. There is mulch and plants tucked in between the cedar ties and the older poured concrete curb.
AFTER – EDGING DETAIL
The finished driveway, with reclaimed, salmon-coloured octogonal pavers laid at 45 degrees. A car is parked in the driveway.
AFTER
A 3D rendering of a proposed driveway remodel that uses repurposed and sustainable materials.
DESIGN CONCEPT
A view of the previous gravel driveway, with plants encroaching from the neighbouring property. A car is parked in the driveway.
BEFORE

Low-maintenance townhouse garden in the Danforth (Toronto)

These busy clients wanted a drought tolerant garden that would increase curb appeal and support the urban ecosystem, while being simple to maintain.

The design combines native sedges, grasses, and wildflowers with a few non-native selections. A simple dry creek pulls runoff away from the home and reduces the need for regular irrigation. We planted a Staghorn Sumac cultivar in a large, frost-tolerant planter for a striking, size-appropriate focal point. Bamboo screening helps distinguish this space from its semi-detached neighbour.

Design and installation by Carbon Wise Landscape Design

Meadow Sage, Blue Eyed Grass, Prairie Dropseed, and other drought tolerant plants dot either side of the rocky dry creek. A Staghorn Sumac is visible in a charcoal grey planter at the back, next to the house.
AFTER – 2023
Close up of the native Blue Eyed Grass, in front of a mixed river rock and pea gravel dry creek. Bamboo privacy screening helps distinguish this garden from the neighbourhood townhouse.
AFTER – POST-PLANTING
The refined design concept for this drought tolerant garden in a small, townhouse front yard.
REFINED DESIGN CONCEPT
A small townhouse front yard. The entire lawn area is covered in pea gravel with weeds growing through it.
BEFORE

A native garden at the savannah’s edge (Toronto)

This front yard garden was once part of a large oak savanna that was maintained by Indigenous nations in the Tkaronto/Toronto region, including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewa, and Wendat. Today, oak savannahs are one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America.

This design includes plants that you might find in a savannah-forest ‘ecotone,’ i.e. the place where two ecosystems meet, even though a majestic Hackberry graces the front yard, rather than an oak. Pennsylvania Sedge has replaced non-native sod as the dominant groundcover, with a selection of other native plants (and one near-native selection) for seasonal colour and pollinator support.

A small rain barrel captures runoff from part of the roof, and doubles as a source of water for irrigation. A woodchip path maintains access to the utilities and rain barrel.

Design and installation by Carbon Wise Landscape Design

Virginia Bluebells blooming in early May.
AFTER – SPRING 2023
A wide view of the recently planted garden. It has been mulched carefully to avoid burying the root flare of the existing Hackberry tree.
AFTER – 2022
Hand drawn and rendered design concept in 3D view, as though it were autumn. A ground layer of sedge and fall asters combine with a colourful Witch Hazel to create more layers and make use of the shady conditions.
CONCEPT DESIGN – 3D PERSPECTIVE
A wide view of a front yard of a semi-detached townhouse. There is patchy grass and an overgrown spirea shrub near the window. A large Hackberry tree dominates the space and casts plenty of shade.
BEFORE

Driveway rain garden and overall concept plan (Peterborough)

A narrow driveway rain garden is just one part of the long term vision for this midcentury cul-de-sac property, where none of the oddly shaped spaces go to waste! The clients wanted to squeeze lots of function and versatility into this yard, including stormwater management features, vegetable gardens, a fire pit, and more.

I designed and installed the initial rain garden in 2020, followed by an overall concept plan for the property in 2021. These DIY-savvy clients have been bringing the vision to life every since.

Design and rain garden installation by Carbon Wise Landscape Design

The rain garden almost two years post-installation. It is a lush and grass-forward space, with pops of colour from seasonal wildflowers, like the lone Anise Hyssop in the foreground.
RAIN GARDEN (2022)
The rain garden in spring 2021, nearly a year after installation. A combo of Pennsylvania Sedge and Prairie Smoke dominate the spring profile.
RAIN GARDEN IN SPRING (2021)
Part of a hand rendered concept plan is shown on an angle for 3D effect. It includes elements such as a vegetable garden, decorative vertical trellises, and other naturalization.
CONCEPT PLAN (2021)
A long grassy median between two driveways is a somewhat weedy lawn. A small conifer in a pot has been placed part way up the grass, but isn't planted. The median is about 8 feet wide.
DRIVEWAY MEDIAN – BEFORE