When we look at our upstate New York garden today, it's hard to believe that just four months ago, our entire west border was nothing more than a simple limelight hydrangea hedge. What started as a practical privacy solution in 2018 has evolved into something we never imagined—a stunning mixed border complete with a pondless waterfall that serves as the centerpiece of our outdoor space.

The Original Limelight Hedge: A Love Story That Had to End

Back when we built our house in 2018, we faced a common suburban challenge: creating privacy on our half-acre lot while dealing with full sun exposure and sandy soil. Our solution seemed perfect at the time—limelight hydrangeas. These reliable performers were readily available at garden centers, and we accumulated about 15 two-gallon specimens, carefully measuring from the property line to create a straight hedge.

For several years, this hedge served us well. We even discovered our love for super tunia petunias by planting Super Tunia Bubble Gum and Super Tunia Paradise between the young hydrangeas. The hedge had its moment of glory when the plants finally touched, creating that beautiful, continuous wall of blooms we'd envisioned.

But every August, the same problem would arise. Our location where the Hudson and Mohawk rivers meet brings intense summer storms with high winds and downpours. Without fail, these storms would flatten our beautiful hedge, leaving it looking disheveled for the remainder of the season. Despite the annual beauty, the maintenance required and the inevitable storm damage made us question whether there was a better approach.

The Decision to Transform

After completing our terrace and other garden beds, we looked at that straight line of hydrangeas—the only straight line in our entire garden—and realized we wanted something different. We'd grown as garden designers, honed our skills, and developed a clearer vision of what we truly wanted.

The decision wasn't easy. These hydrangeas were beautiful, and we couldn't bear the thought of wasting them. So we carefully planned their removal, asking friends and neighbors who wanted hydrangeas to help us dig them up. We learned an important lesson about hydrangea transplanting: you need to take a very wide root ball for successful relocation. Happily, all 15 plants are thriving in their new homes, with 10 of them creating a stunning display at our friend Brandon's house.

Designing the New Space

With our blank slate established, we began the exciting process of reimagining the space. We started with flags in the ground, then used chalk spray to mark out various curved shapes, editing and adjusting until we found the perfect flowing border design that would complement our garden's organic feel.

The real game-changer came during our winter planning phase when Eric proposed adding a water feature. After considering various options—a reflection pond, a fountain with a large basin—we settled on a pondless waterfall. This decision led us to partner with Decker's Pond Scape, whose owner Alan proved to be the perfect collaborator for bringing our vision to life.

The Waterfall Installation: Watching Art Unfold

Working with Alan was like watching a master artist at work. He could look at a pile of rocks and an empty space and envision something none of us could see. When he arrived for the initial consultation, he simply started drawing in the dirt with a stick, and we knew we had to trust his vision.

The installation process was fascinating to watch. The team began by digging a large square hole where they installed Aqua blocks—essentially an underground reservoir holding about 100 gallons of water with all the pump mechanics hidden below ground. The excavated soil became the berm for the waterfall's layers, and as rocks were positioned and the system came together, the transformation was remarkable. The moment they turned on the water for the first time was absolutely magical.

Adding Structure: The Plant Selection Process

With our waterfall centerpiece in place, we focused on selecting structural plants that would complement both the water feature and the rest of our garden. We were fortunate to work with Iseli Nursery, gaining access to spectacular specimen trees like the Arctic Jade Japanese maple and the Ice Dragon Japanese maple.

Initially, we considered mirroring our east border's centerpiece—a beautiful blue spruce—but quickly realized that the waterfall itself had become the focal point. Instead, we chose plants that would work harmoniously around this new feature. The Nordman fir provides vertical height with a classic Christmas tree silhouette without spreading too wide, while smaller evergreens like the Gemstone Hinoki Cypress (which we lovingly call the "sorting hat from Harry Potter") add textural interest at a more intimate scale.

The Joy of Plant Placement

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this project was the plant placement day. While Eric was at work on a Saturday, he spent hours arranging shrubs throughout the space, creating what looked like a beautiful landscape painting with all the plant containers positioned throughout the bed. When I returned home, the vision was already taking shape, and remarkably, most plants stayed exactly where Eric had placed them.

This process taught us the value of taking time to visualize plant relationships before committing to permanent placement. While we know some adjustments will be needed—the Pinky Winky Prime is already showing us how large it will grow, meaning the Let's Dance Rhythmic Blues will likely need to be relocated—the overall design has proven sound.

The Importance of Infrastructure: Drip Irrigation

One crucial lesson from this transformation was the importance of installing drip irrigation from the beginning. Having learned from our 2022 patio garden installation where we delayed adding irrigation, we prioritized running a complete drip system along the entire border immediately after our major planting day.

We installed a single line of black distribution tubing along the entire border, then branched off with brown drip tubing and micro-irrigation to ensure even coverage. An important insight we've gained is that established shrubs need broader irrigation coverage as their root systems expand beyond the original planting area.

The Magic of the 100-Plant Day

Perhaps the most satisfying day of the entire project was what we dubbed our "100-plant day"—when we installed all the annual plants that would fill in the spaces while our permanent plantings matured. After months of planning and preparation, the feeling of accomplishment as we worked through the space with our augers, placing plant after plant, was incredible.

This day taught us the value of using annuals strategically to create immediate impact while waiting for permanent plantings to establish. The Super Tunia Mini Vista petunias, in particular, have created stunning carpets of color that wrap beautifully around the waterfall area.

Current Results and Future Vision

Four months later, the transformation is remarkable. The mixed border is filled with blooming hydrangeas, thriving shrubs, and annuals in their prime. The dahlia tubers that Christopher grew from seed and saved over winter have developed into tree-like specimens with thick, sturdy canes.

Some plants have surprised us with their performance. The native ironweed (Vernonia) has put on tremendous growth, and our Purple Fountain Grass provides exactly the textural contrast we hoped for. The Ice Dragon Japanese maple has grown significantly and will eventually be pruned to arch gracefully over the waterfall.

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

This transformation has taught us several valuable lessons:

Use annuals strategically to create immediate impact while permanent plantings establish. The investment in quality annuals pays off in both immediate beauty and long-term satisfaction.

Install irrigation immediately rather than postponing this crucial infrastructure. The time and water savings make this investment worthwhile from day one.

Trust the design process but remain flexible. Gardens are living, evolving spaces, and adjustments are part of the journey.

Order more plants than you think you need when working with your local garden center. If it interests you and fits your budget, you'll find a place for it.

Consider the full seasonal cycle when selecting plants. Our focus on four-season interest ensures the border looks beautiful year-round.

Planning Your Own Transformation

If you're considering a similar garden overhaul, fall is the perfect time to start planning for next spring. Build relationships with your local garden center—many are happy to help with advance orders for major projects. We recommend focusing on:

• Mixed foliage colors: Include evergreens alongside blue, green, chartreuse, and purple-red foliage for year-round interest
• Varied textures: Combine fine and bold textures for visual depth
• Seasonal progression: Plan for continuous interest from spring through fall
• Infrastructure first: Install irrigation and any hardscape features before planting

The Reward of Patience and Vision

While our west border transformation required significant investment in time, planning, and resources, the results have exceeded our expectations. Every day brings new discoveries as plants settle into their new home and reveal their personalities. The sound of water flowing over the rocks creates a peaceful backdrop for garden work and relaxation.

Most importantly, this project has given us a space to experiment, learn, and grow as gardeners. The border will continue evolving as plants mature, and we're already planning adjustments for next season. That's the beauty of gardening—it's never truly finished, always offering new opportunities for creativity and improvement.

Whether you're dreaming of your own garden transformation or simply looking for inspiration for smaller changes, remember that every garden evolution starts with a vision and the courage to try something new. Sometimes the best transformations come from being willing to let go of what's working well to create something even better.

Thanks for growing with us!