Fields softened the exterior of the house with a mixture of crossvine, English ivy, and Boston ivy. "Boston ivy grows faster than the others," he says, "so we were able to achieve that green look and sense of age within the first year." As a bonus, the three plants create seasonal interest throughout the year.

Since timelessness is not created with timid foundation plantings, Fields and the homeowners decided to use important mature plants, such as the enormous 'Winter Gem' boxwood globes that intersect the balustrade, the columnar 'Natchez' crepe myrtles that separate the pool garden from the other spaces, and the preexistent huge live oak that shields the pool house from the motor court. Additionally, Fields layered most of the hedges to create textural depth, and he also limited the introduction of flowers to container planting.

"Most people are satisfied with a little bit of foundation planting all around a house," says Fields. "In contrast, this plan imbues the scene with a greater sense of scale and importance. I also think that the use of select colored flowers in antique containers creates a more residential feel than an overpowering mass-planting of color that seems out of scale and corporate. In our climate, green is more soothing, and besides, this is about the bones of the garden, not seasonal splashes of color."

Even without lots of color -- Fields favors mostly white flowers because they look wonderful at night -- the garden is both radiant and inviting year-round. Besides providing a drop-dead backdrop for parties and charity events, it is also serene outdoor space where the couple enjoys strolling, relaxing, and reading by the pool.

"In all my projects, I like to step back and look at the house and garden together," says Fields. "I feel a real sense of accomplishment if they look as if they grew up and evolved together. In this instance, there is complete and utter harmony."