Bellport

Bellport Gardens

LOCATION: Bellport, NY
PROPERTY SIZE: .5 Acres

This Bellport project began with clients who requested a natural, beachy landscape that reflects their lifestyle — slow summer days spent long boarding and enjoying time with family and friends. Another goal was to eliminate the lawn, for reasons of sustainability, as well as to maximize the garden areas. 

There was little to the original landscape — an old pool, lawn and arborvitae hedgerow. We worked with Bella Mancini Design, giving our input on the terrace and pool area. From there, we developed a matrix style planting plan for the meadow, which would replace the lawn. Utilizing multiple plant species that co-exist well together, we laid the foundation for a more sustainable system that naturally suppresses weeds and has low water requirements. We decided to have the meadow plantings loosely flow over into the parking area to imbue more of that “beachy” feel. Boxwood strategically placed to anchor the eye and an allée of Lagerstroemia added a formal, feminine touch. The lush meadow now consists of a variety of native and non-native species, full of pollinators and wildflowers. It has texture and movement that reflects the beautiful natural seaside light. Near to the meadow, we planted a large mass of lavender which is both fragrant and loved by honey bees.

Behind the pool, we sited a gravel garden to connect the pool terrace to the pool house with a short pathway of offset bluestone steppers. We used natural grey Delaware stone gravel to complement the grey of the house and pool house. Creeping ground covers, native mountain mints and other herbaceous species are interspersed in the gravel for a cozy cottage garden look. 

The existing hedgerow border was foregrounded with a variety of flowering trees and shrubs that offer an added layer of privacy, undulating in height and flower throughout the season. Woven into this romantic border are Cercis canadensis and Viburnum burkwoodii. Planted on a corner of the pool house, are fragrant lilacs perfectly complementing this classic Bellport cottage.

SERVICES
Master Landscape Plan including all plantings and hardscape, Assemble Scope of Work, Assemble Plant List, Oversee job installation. Ongoing management of the landscape. Pool terrace and dining terrace by Bella Mancini Design.

COLLABORATORS
Bella Mancini Design