It has been many years since we first contracted with Michael Hepburn to create a front yard for us. We were so pleased with his work that we contracted with him again a few years later to create our backyard. Both projects were enormous. These many years later, we remain incredibly pleased with our decision to go with Hepburn. The gardens have grown in fantastically and visitors to our home are knocked out by how lush and welcoming everything is.
About ten years ago, the city-owned old growth tree in the front yard had to come down because of insect infestation. During the tree's long life, its roots had pushed up sections of the cement front walk to the point of making the approach to the house hazardous. The city took the tree away and (after a long delay) ground the trunk down to about 1 foot below grade. At this point I talked to three landscaping companies to get estimates for the front yard. Company 1 with the highest bid would plant only a few bushes but would supply architectural drawings of our home. (I said that I didn't want the drawings and was told that it was a package deal!) I wasn't comfortable with the owner of Company 2 even though his bid was the lowest. Company 3 was Michael Hepburn and though his estimate was expensive for us, we had the strong feeling that it would be money well spent.
Hepburn took out the old cement front walk, built us a new front porch/stair case, installed a new stone walk, preserved and integrated the 100-year-old iron fencing, took out most of the original garden (inherited from the previous owner of the home), and planted a new garden. We missed all of the work because Hepburn managed to get it all done in a very short period of time while were out of town on vacation. When we returned home, we were literally speechless first at the surprise that the work was completed, and second at the incredible beauty of our home.
Probably the thing that we love most about the front garden is that it was planted with an eye toward constantly changing colours as the Spring moves through Summer and into Autumn. That first summer especially we were always surprised at what started to bloom just as something else was finishing up.
A few years later the lean-to garage and old deck and fence in the back yard all had to be taken away. We phoned Hepburn and did not bother to get estimates from any other landscapers. After the new garage and fence were built, Hepburn came and installed a new deck and landscaped the yard. Though the front yard was designed with symmetry and balance in mind, we encouraged Hepburn (and his colleague Curtis) to design something more "wild" for the backyard. They came through for us in a big way! One of our stipulations was that the garden had to look inviting from the 2nd story window on the back of the house. The view from that window as well as from the kitchen on the 1st level is truly spectacular.
When you live in a home for a long time as we have, you get used to the rhythms of the gardens. Things bloom and wither and come back the next year or sometimes don't. In the first two years Hepburn replaced anything that did not survive the Winter. After then, we have occasionally had to replace some plants. Our feeling is that Hepburn's fee was a good investment in the beauty and value of our home. In the future, it will certainly help with the resale value. But far more important than that is the enjoyment we take from it now. We recommend Michael Hepburn Landscape Contractor without reservation! read more
