The Nature-Oriented Garden

When garden designer Troy Rhone and designer E. Dale Trice got together to plan the space, they envisioned a design that related to the house but still felt open to the landscape. Though the house is traditional, they knew it would welcome a few modern elements. They started by placing a river birch tree just outside the house.

"That way, the homeowners still have a view beyond," says Rhone. In fact, the river birch, which often has multiple trunks, is the first thing visible through the house's windows. "It gives a canopy to the court," says Rhone, "and I love the architecture of a multitrunk tree that has exfoliating bark."

RESOURCES: Troy Rhone, Troy Rhone Garden Design, 205/226-8671, www.troyrhonegardens.com; E. Dale Trice, Design on the Gulf, 866/231-4844, www.designonthegulf.com.

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