2014 Red Gate Lane Residential Design

A Landscape Plan for

Red Gate Lane Woodland Amherst, Massachusetts

Index

Prepared by: Beth Batchelder The Conway School Fall 2014

Introduction..................................................... 1 Context............................................................ 2 Analyses

Slopes, Soil & Drainage........................ 3

Sun & Shade.......................................... 4

Views...................................................... 5

Access & Circulation............................. 6

Summary Analysis................................. 7 Design Alternatives........................................ 8 Final Design.................................................... 9 Precedents 1................................................. 10 Precedents 2................................................. 11 Planting Palette 1.......................................... 12 Planting Palette 2.......................................... 13 Planting Plan: Northern Yard....................... 14 Planting Plan: Southern Yard...................... 15 Grading.......................................................... 16 Sustainability

Stormwater Management.................... 17

Habitat.................................................. 18

Property Section A A1 Steep Slope

Backyard

1. Improve stormwater management and stop flooding in the basement and carport.

2. Create usable outdoor spaces by increasing privacy, beautifying vegetation, and improving safety of paths around the back side of the house.

3. Site a chicken coop.

Neighbor’s House

North Side Yard

The house is situated east of Red Gate Lane and is reached by a driveway that leads to a carport.

Most of the family or household activity is in the southeast corner of the home, where the kitchen, living room, and sun room are. A deck for entertaining is situated outside of the sunroom and kitchen. A flagstone path wraps around the back side of the house and leads to another gravel patio that has views of the north side yard and backyard.

Steep slopes abutting the back side of the house where pachysandra and ferns grow, are skirted by a trail through the backyard. On the north side, the path leads down to the basement entrance set in between the slopes. Other than an ornamental planting bed next to the driveway and the planted slopes, most of the site either consists of early succession shrubs (north side) or ground cover under a dense canopy (east backyard). A zip line on the northeastern wooded edge gives space for children to play in the backyard.

Ornamental Bed

Ca

rp or t

Storm Drain

A

A1

Patio

Liv Ro ing om Kit ch

en

Flagstone Stairs

nr oo m

Existing Conditions

Red gate Lane

Su

View to the house down the front driveway

Zip Line

Basement Entrance

Path Deck

Woodland

Main Swale

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Car Port

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Front Yard

Introduction

Road

A Landscape Design for

Project Goals

North Neighbor’s House Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

0

5 10

20ft

1/18

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

The property is a 0.7-acre rectilinear residential lot in Amherst, Massachusetts, home to Laura Quilter, Michelle Markstein, and their six-year-old daughter. The house design is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and sports a flat roof. The house’s carport and basement have flooded in the past, something the owners would like to prevent. Laura and Michelle would also like to have an attractive yard that doesn’t need much maintenance and would like to site a space to have chickens to provide eggs for their household.

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Introduction

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Context & History Because it sits within the Adams Brook subbasin of the Connecticut River Watershed, activity on the property such as using fertilizer or filtering stormwater directly affects the rivers downslope. In this dense forest matrix, wildlife habitat can also be affected if the canopy of the neighborhood is altered.

Context

UMass Amherst UMass Amherst

Red Gate Lane Woodland Amherst Middle School

Elementary School

Farmland

Adams/Hearthstone Brooks

Topographical section of area near property.

Not to scale

Context & History

Wildwood Elementary

Red Gate Lane Neighborhood

Amherst High School

Amherst Center

Red Gate Lane Woodland

History

For a substantial period of time, this area now known as the Red Gate Lane neighborhood was owned by a single owner who left the land in a forested state. In the 1950s, the property was divided into parcels for single-family residential plots and it was during this time the home at 101 Red Gate Lane was built. The homes in the neighborhood Red Gate Lane Neighborhood were built without clearing all the trees; as a result, unlike other nearby neighborhoods, there is a tall, mature Section showing canopy difference in nearby neighborhoods. canopy, which provides wildlife habitat not found elsewhere nearby.

Not to scale

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

North

High Street Neighborhood

2/18

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

To site a chicken coop and own chickens, the zoning bylaws of Amherst require the following criteria to be met: 1. Shelter structures should be placed 10 feet from property lines and 20 feet from residential structures or adjacent property lines.

2. Chickens must have ten square feet of open yard space as well as an enclosure for containment.

3. Each residence is limited to 12 adult chickens (no roosters) and they need to be registered with the Amherst Health Department.

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Red Gate Lane Woodland

A Landscape Design for

Amherst Guidelines for Chicken Coops

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Located just east of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, this neighborhood is situated near an elementary and middle school and is near the university and town of Amherst, where many of the residents work. The site is located within a subbasin that drains to the Adams and Hearthstone Brooks to the east. Formed under glacial Lake Hitchcock, the soil is a fine sandy loam, which drains fairly well. The location of the site is important as there is potential that anything done to the soil on the property could affect the rivers and wetlands to the east.

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Analysis: Slopes, Soils & Drainage

0 5 10

20ft

en

nr oo

Kit ch

m

Liv Ro ing om

Scupper

Swale

Soils

Main scupper and swale off sunroom

Soils on the property are a Charlton fine sandy loam. This soil typically has at least 50% sand and very little clay. This makes for a well-drained soil that typically can infiltrate stormwater well. It is best to only plant vegetation that tolerates welldrained soil.

Close-up of scupper

Scuppers

Drainage

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Basement Swale

Ca

rp or t

KEY

Liv Ro ing om m

Storm Storm Drain Drain

nr oo

Red Gate Lane

Su

Red Gate Lane is a major source of stormwater on the site. Currently, water flows from the road towards the house, much of which goes down the driveway to a storm drain that leads to the closest water body. The slope of the front yard has no path to divert water from the house. This could be a contributing factor to the standing water in the carport.

Slopes on the north side direct the roof and other runoff towards the basement entrance. This may have contributed to flooding of the basement in the past.

Most of the roof runoff comes out a scupper located near the kitchen/sun room on the southeast side of the house. This water flows to a large built swale and then to the backyard. The more level back woodland area’s terrain helps to slow and infiltrate stormwater. It is important to infiltrate and filter as much stormwater as possible on-site to mitigate affects on waterways downslope.

The roof runoff is channeled off the roof by a series of scuppers.

Kit ch

en

Main water flow

Water flow

Roof Line Scupper

Potential Seepage

0 5 10

20ft

North

3/18

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

2-5%

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein Slopes, Soil & Drainage 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Storm Drain

Red Gate Lane Woodland

rp or t

Roof Runoff Management

ANALYSIS:

Ca

Su

Red Gate Lane

>25% 15-25% 10-15% 5-10%

Circulation Analysis

Basement Swale

RED GATE LANE WOODLAND

KEY

The property slopes eastward from Red Gate Lane. Most of the slopes are between 5 and 15 percent with steep slopes (>25 percent) on the north and east side of the house. The general slope of the property leads stormwater towards the house, especially on the north side where the steep slopes funnel water into the basement entrance. The steep slopes in the backyard reduce the amount of usable space near the main-use area of the house.

The back woodland area has slopes of 5 percent or less, which could potentially provide space for recreational uses requiring level ground.

A Landscape Design for

Slopes

By: Beth Batchelder October 29, 2014

Laura and Michelle report that the basement and carport have flooded during heavy rain storms. The site’s fine sandy loam drains fairly quickly. Slopes direct surface water from the road and driveway to the house.

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Analysis: Sun & Shade The property sits within a dense area of mature trees that surrounds the house, creating a wooded edge. Only small patches of the yard get adequate sunlight for sun-loving vegetation during the growing season.

North Side Yard

December 21st The site has little exposure to full sunlight throughout the winter months.

However, it does have dappled sun due to the leafless deciduous trees.

North Side Yard

North Side Yard

Ornamental Bed Red Gate Lane

Ornamental Bed

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

June 21st The front ornamental bed gets over 6 hours of sun per day in the summer and a large portion of the north side of the yard gets 6 hours of sun as well. These two spaces could be prime areas for sun-loving vegetation or entertainment space.

Winter Solstice

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Summer Solstice

ANALYSIS: SUN & SHADE

Ornamental Bed

A Landscape Design for

Ornamental Bed

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

North Side Yard

Spring & Summer Equinox

March 21st & September 21st The front ornamental bed gets about 2 hours of sun daily at the spring and fall equinox and part of the north side yard gets 3 to 4 hours of sunlight. Of the two spaces, the north side yard would be best for plants requiring a long growing season.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Areas of 4 to 6 hours of sun during the growing season.

North

4/18

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Analysis: Views

Swale

en

m

nr oo

Kit ch

Liv Ro ing om

De ck

Analysis: Views

Patio

Red Gate Lane

Circulation Analysis

RED GATE LANE WOODLAND

To the north, the absence of tall vegetation means there are open views to and from the neighboring house and yard, limiting the privacy of the yard here.

Su

The front door, kitchen, and deck are clearly visible from the top of the driveway. The rest of the front yard is fairly visible through a low shrub layer. While providing an open space for welcoming guests, this visibility makes these areas less attractive for private use.

KEY

Neighbor’s House

0 5 10

20ft

Undesired View Direction

Limited View

Existing Hedge

Undesired View Area

Shortened View Area

View inside to sunroom

Limited view

Headlights from cars heading north on the road shine through limbedup hemlocks into the sunroom, greatly limiting its private use at night.

A large hedge of Japanese andromeda and rhododendron at the edge of the slope outside of the sunroom adds privacy but limits the views out of this prime-use area.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

North

5/18

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

View to and from neighbor

Red Gate Lane Woodland

View from Red Gate Lane

A Landscape Design for

By: Beth Batchelder October 29, 2014

Neighbor’s House

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

The property is highly visible from surrounding properties and the road, making for little private space. In addition, while providing much-needed privacy, the proximity of the hedge just outside of the sunroom limits the views from the main living space.

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Analysis: Access & Circulation Car traffic is moderate on Red Gate Lane. Foot traffic occurs around the house with the heaviest concentration around the main use area at the kitchen and sunroom. The main entrance is currently re-routed to the kitchen from the front door.

Left: The front entrance has a broad sweeping flagstone pathway leading to the door. The front door has a hand-written sign re-directing traffic to the kitchen door.

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Liv Ro ing om

en

nr oo

Kit ch

m

M Do ain or

Su

Red Gate Lane

Bottom: The kitchen entrance is reached by a slight step up onto the deck.

KEY

Car traffic - heavy

Car traffic - light

Foot traffic - heavy

Foot traffic - light

Potential entrance confusion Neighbor’s House

0

5 10

20ft

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

Swale

Analysis: Access & Circulation

A Landscape Design for

Entrance Confusion The main entrance has been re-directed to the kitchen door by a sign posted on the original front door. This has potential to create confusion for guests upon their initial visit.

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Neighbor’s House

North

6/18 Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Ca

rp or t

Red Gate Lane

3 m

Liv Ro ing om

nr oo

Kit ch

Su

en

Deck

2

NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE 0

5

10

20ft

Undesired View Undesired View Direction Shortened View Existing Hedge

KEY

Drainage Problem Circulation Issue Drainage Direction Main Roof Drainage

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

North

7/18 Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

NEIGHBOR’S FENCE

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

1

Red Gate Lane Woodland

WOODED EDGE

Summary Analysis

Basement Entrance

A Landscape Design for

4

Summary Analysis

NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE

• The most-used rooms inside the home are the kitchen, living room, and sunroom. The outdoor spaces with potential for child recreation visible from these rooms are either not private or have steep slopes. They are also in complete shade, which could make for prime space to enjoy summer weather.

• While the existing hedge just east of the main swale in the backyard provides adequate privacy from neighbor views, it shortens the view from the house and usable space adjacent to the primary use areas inside the home.

• At night, the sunroom is often illuminated by car lights from vehicles heading north on Red Gate Lane. Introducing screening on the southern property line would greatly increase privacy.

• Currently, visitors are being re-routed to the kitchen door by a sign posted on the front door, which is potentially confusing.

• Roof runoff largely drains at the southeast corner of the home and leads to a built swale.

The swale is lined with rocks and drains into the backyard. This can present a circulation conflict where the swale and path meet.

33. Backyard • Steep slopes next to the house limit space to be used for play or relaxation. The slopes also intensify runoff from the house and drain onto the existing walkway, presenting potentially unsafe conditions.

• The walkway down the slope on the east side of the house is currently made of flagstone.

It is narrow and also serves as a swale. The combination of these conditions makes this prime walkway a safety risk.

• A large portion of the backyard is a woodland with little to no understory and is currently little used. The lack of understory makes for limited habitat value.

4.

North Side Yard 4 • Steep slopes limit the space available for play or relaxation. Runoff from the street and house potentially intensifies along the walkway skirting the slopes.

• The 4 to 6 hours of sun on the north side of the property and the location of two access doors make this a potentially appropriate space for recreation and/or relaxation. Currently the space is not used and is easily visible from the neighbor’s property. To improve the space added screening on the property line would help increase privacy. The basement door also needs maintenance to restore access.

• Slopes toward the basement entrance drain water into the walkway, making it also serve as a swale. This presents potential flooding issues.

• During the growing season, a sizable patch 4-6 hrs of Sun gets 4 to 6 hours of sun each day. This provides a greater potential for a bigger variety of Steep Slopes appropriate plants.

By: Bet h Batchelder

The site is surrounded by a dense, mature forest which heavily shades most of the property throughout the year. While this may limit the plant palette, it potentially provides prime space for recreational use in the summer. Steep slopes and lack of privacy also limit outdoor use. Meanwhile, poorly graded slopes contribute to occasional flooding in the carport and basement. And while most of the yard provides vegetation for wildlife, the back wooded area has little to no understory to serve wildlife habitat.

22. South Side Yard

• The deck off the kitchen is in direct view of the street.

Selective screening would provide privacy for the dining area while maintaining security for the front entrance.

• The front yard is partly visible from the street due to a low shrub and herbaceous layer. This visibility is not ideal for outdoor gathering but is for welcoming visitors.

• Water drains from Red Gate Lane and aside from the runoff that is directed to the storm drain, the water is mostly infiltrated on-site on the property’s gently sloped terrain.

Infiltration needs to be maximized in order to reduce the amount of water entering the storm drain and nearby waterways.

• Some runoff from the street is directed to the west side of the house. This presents a potential flooding risk for the carport and a problem for the house foundation.

• During the growing season, a sizable patch in the front yard that is currently planted with ornamentals gets between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day. This amount of sun can support a bigger variety of appropriate plants.

RED GATE LANE WOODLAND

Summary Analysis

11. Front Yard

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Design Alternatives Three alternative designs were explored, proposing different layouts and solutions to the project goals.

Orchard

0 5 10 20ft

Alternate #3: Entrance Revolution

Reduced Hedge

Expanded Deck

0 5 10 20ft Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

The expanded deck is enclosed in vegetation, adding privacy and re-routing the main entrance to the original front door. A series of walkable swales direct stormwater from the street into rain gardens to slow and filter the water. A third of the existing hedge has been removed and paths have been extended into the back woodland, leading to play areas and a fire pit. Shrubs in the woodland diversify the vegetation layers to provide increased wildlife habitat.

Pros: The dining is closest to the kitchen; trails expand the use of the backyard; exploratory areas and wildlife habitat are increased; fruit and nut trees and bushes provide food; a living roof helps to reduce stormwater runoff.

Cons: Entrance re-routing would take a period of adjustment; the backyard expansion is not completely visible from house; the chicken coop is not as close to the house.

Deck

Curved Stairs

0 5 10 20ft

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

Alternate #2: Vista Impresionante Walkable swales and terracing throughout the site channel water into two rain gardens in the backyard to help manage and filter the water from the road and house. The chicken coop has been tucked next to the house on the north side near the treehouse located on the property border. The deck now wraps around the north side of the house, providing views to a small orchard along the north property boundary that maximizes the area’s sun exposure. Wide curving stairs now lead to an expanded children’s play area next to the zip line.

Pros: The wrap-around patio provides an expansive view to the expanded kid area; the chicken coop is out of view; the orchard will provide fruit and nuts.

Cons: The treehouse and dining are farthest from the main use area; the chicken coop is not as accessible and is more difficult to monitor.

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Terracing

Design Alternatives

Terracing

A Landscape Design for

Terracing in the front yard and on the steep slopes in the backyard helps slow the water runoff. Walkable swales (see Sheet 18) also help to channel stormwater to two rain gardens in the backyard. A chicken coop is close to the kitchen for convenience for gathering eggs and maintenance and in view of the deck, which has been expanded out from the sunroom. The deck now has views into the rain garden as the hedge has been removed. A treehouse and swing expand the children’s play area and a fire pit on the north side becomes a focus for family entertaining.

Pros: Dining is close to the kitchen with a view of the rain garden; the treehouse and chicken coop are close to the main-use area.

Cons: The fire pit is far; this design is potentially more costly and may require more maintenance; this chicken coop location requires neighbor buy-in to override the set-back required by town code.

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Alternate #1: Backyard Discovery

North

8/18

Section of backyard Not to scale

1 Buffer the Street Flow

A

A walkable swale (a deep foot path that also serves to convey water; see Sheet 18) curves through a grassy meadow to help guide stormwater from the street away from the house. Terracing (see Sheet 11) has now been introduced into the existing ornamental bed as another way to slow and filter the water flow. The area next to the building has been graded into a small swale to further direct water flow around to the back of the house and away from the carport (see Sheets 11 & 18).

Neighbor’s House

children’s play area

swale

Zip Line

Sw al

e

2 Outdoor Entertaining

3

Terracing

A

Red Gate Lane

7

Tree House

Living Roof

Permeable Pavers

5

Compost

4

6

Rain Garden Screening

5 Deck and Chickens

5

10

20ft

The usable space has been expanded outside on a large deck that wraps around the house, utilizing this shaded area for warmweather entertaining. Wide steps from the deck now serve as a gateway to the new yard. A treehouse is placed over a chicken coop easily accessible from a small path to the house. The walkable swales on the south side of the property now lead to a rain garden that is also a meditation space behind the hedge (see Sheets 10, 11 & 19).

6 Protected Living

A meandering line of evergreen and coniferous shrubs now provide privacy for this main use area of the house. The driveway has been shortened on the east side to provide room for additional shrubs next to the deck, to increase privacy. A walkable swale serves as the foot and water path, ushering both into the redesigned back oasis.

Final Design

Rock Wall

0

The previously unused woodland has been transformed with trails and shrubs interspersed through the tree trunks.

Children can play on rocks and explore this new area. Birds and squirrels will also appreciate the added covering of bushes and the new rock wall (see Sheets 10 & 19).

A1

If found to be structurally sound, the roof is converted to a living roof system with various sedum plants. Asphalt in front of the carport has been removed and replaced with permeable pavers. Both of these elements help to reduce stormwater on site and standing water issues in the carport (see Sheet 18).

Chicken Coop

3 Children’s Area

Soil from the newly re-graded basement entrance has been placed next to the zip line to level the area to make it better suited to child play; a swing and rocks have been added. Skirting either side of the play area are walkable swales leading to a rain garden that will help to filter the runoff collected from the street (see Sheet 18).

7 Managing Water Flow

Red Gate Lane Woodland

2 Rain Garden

Fire Pit

Swing

4 Trails and Habitat

path

Orchard

1

Fruit and nut trees, such as hazelnuts and pears, have been planted to screen views from neighbors. Nestled in the meadow grasses is the new fire pit that can now make use of this newly enclosed area. A walkable swale serves as the main path leading people and water through the space.

stairs

A Landscape Design for

deck

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

A1

North

9/18 Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

The final design addresses Laura and Michelle’s desires to better and more ecologically manage stormwater on-site and create usable, private spaces for the residents and guests, and appropriately site the chicken coop for optimal use.

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Final Design

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Precedents 1

Fire Pit Wooden benches or chairs convey a natural aesthetic while benches made of stacked rocks can serve as durable year-round seating places for an outdoor fire pit. Circular or square rock pavers are used to create a safe place for fires. (www.bomeng.org, blog. triadassociatesinc.com)

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

The permeable broad gravel steps off the northeast corner of the new deck provide seating that doubles as a water filtration method. (media-cache-ec0. pinimg.com, ongardening.com)

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Loose rock walls can provide space for animals and plants to gather while more closely set walls can be more stable for seating areas. No mortar is used to form these walls. (www.yankeemagazine.com)

Precedents 1

Permeable Steps

A Landscape Design for

Dry-Stacked Rock Wall

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

These photos illustrate elements similar to those in the final design. These features help to increase the ecological value of the space while also making it more engaging for all.

North

10/18 Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Natural Play Space Natural elements set in the woodland part of the backyard such as tree stumps and large rocks can serve as engaging play spaces for children. (www.dwell.com, kidsinthegarden.co.uk)

Precedents 2

Terracing Terracing on slopes can help reduce stormwater runoff by slowing and filtering the water. (www. arditourism.com)

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

A Landscape Design for

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Precedent 2

Deck The proposed deck will make use of the current slope. A decorative skirt can be added around the deck edge to enclose the space underneath. (archadeckaustin.files. wordpress.com, www.qualityfencejackson.com)

North

11/18 Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Plant Palette 1 The plant palette has been chosen based o Laura and Michelle’s desired woodland aesthetic. All plants are fairly low maintenance, and many are also native plants, which help create an ecologically cohesive landscape.

Zone 1: Steep Slopes

Abies balsamea ‘Nana’/ dwarf balsam fir

Hosta ‘Halcyon’/Halcyon hosta

Hosta ‘Patriot’/Patriot hosta

Zone 2: Rain Gardens These plants work well together in rain gardens to help filter and take up stormwater. They can tolerate both wet and dry soils. Some of these plants also produce fruit for wildlife.

Dryopteris erythrosora/ Japanese shield fern

Acer circinatum ‘Del’s Dwarf’/Del Dwarf vine maple Hydrangea quercifolia/oakleaf hydrangea

Asarum canadense/Canadian wild ginger Rubus parviflorus/ thimbleberry

2

1

Geum ‘Fireball’/Fireball avens Symphoricarpos albus/common snowberry

3

Zone 3: Woodland Understory Screening The following shrubs provide shelter for wildlife and serve as a source of food for animals throughout the year.

Gaylussacia baccata/black huckleberry

Kalmia latifolia/mountain laurel

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Leucothoe axillaris/coast leucothoe

Viburnum lentago/ nannyberry

Vaccinium angustifolium/ lowbush blueberry

Aralia nudicaulis/wild sarsaparilla

Xanthorhiza simplicissima/ yellowroot

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

Athyrium niponicum ‘Regal Red’/Regal Red Japanese painted fern

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Convallaria majalis/lily of the valley

Plant Palette 1

Lamium galeobdolon ‘Variegatum’/yellow archangel

A Landscape Design for

Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’/bugleweed

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

The steep slopes are stabilized with bands of groundcover while the hostas, ferns and firs serve as attractive accents.

North

12/18

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Plant Palette 2 Zone 4: Meadow

Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’/ eulalia

Schizachyriam scoparium ‘Blaze’/little bluestem

Zone 5: Orchard/Berries Set on the northern property line, these trees and shrubs bearing fruit and nuts make use of the 4 to 6 hours of daily sun in this area as well as provide privacy.

4

Corylus americana/ American hazelnut

Pyrus x ‘Bartlett’/Bartlett pear Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Chojuro’/Chojuro pear

Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Pink Lemonade’/Pink Lemonade highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum/ Highbush blueberry

5

Rhododendron ‘PJM’/PJM Rhododendron Ribes sativum ‘Imperial’/White Imperial currant

6

Zone 6: Southern Privacy Screen This mixture of shrubs will create a diverse border, mimicking a forest thicket while providing much needed privacy.

Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’/ spreading English yew

Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’/Blue Princess holly

Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’/ American arborvitae

Rhododendron maximum/Rosebay rhododendron

Kalmia latifolia/ mountain laurel

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

Muhlenbergia rigens/ deergrass

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Sporobolus heterolepis/ prairie dropseed

Plant Palette 2

Eragrostis spectabilis/ purple lovegrass

A Landscape Design for

Festuca amethystina ‘Superba’/tufted fescue

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

This gently sloping area has been transformed into a thick meadow. Requiring only annual mowing, these grasses provide habitat and a soft landscape appearance.

North

13/18 Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

RH

RH

VC

RH RH

PB

SS (150)

RS

ES (50)

KL

CA

RS

VP

ES (20)

VL AN (3) FA (250)

ES (7)

AP (3)

ES (55)

AP (3)

RP HQ ES (55) FA (350)

HP

HP

LG HP (150) (40) CM AJ (20)

LA

RP

HP HP

AJ (120)

HH

AR

CM (30)

HP

CM (40)

HP HP

AR

AJ (120)

AP (3)

bugleweed

RP

HP

AP (3)

# of Plants 260

SA (3)

HQ

AR

HP

Common Name

AS (35)

AP (3)

HH

HP

CM (25) LG (30)

AR

HP LG (140)

HH

Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’

KL

GB (3)

AP (3) HP

Code Botanical Name

LA

AP (3)

ES (3)

AJ

Red Gate Lane Woodland

PP CA

Code Botanical Name

AP (3)

Common Name

# of Plants

LG Lamium galeobdolon ‘Variegatum’

yellow archangel

320

AN Aralia nudicaulis

wild sarsaparilla

3

MP Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’

eulalia

75

AR Athyrium niponicum ‘Regal Red’

Regal Red Japanese painted fern

4

MR Muhlenbergia rigens

deergrass

40

AP Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’

Japanese painted fern

24

PB Pyrus x ‘Bartlett’

Bartlett pear

1

AS Asarum canadense

Canadian wild ginger

35

PP Pyrus pyrifolia ‘Chojuro’

Chojuro pear

2

CA Corylus americana

American hazelnut

2

RP Rubus parviflorus

thimbleberry

3

CM Convallaria majalis

lily of the valley

135

RH Rhododendron ‘PJM’

PJM Rhododendron

6

ES

Eragrostis spectabilis

purple lovegrass

155

RS Ribes sativum ‘Imperial’

White Imperial currant

2

FA

Festuca amethystina ‘Superba’

tufted fescue

600

SA Symphoricarpos albus

common snowberry

3

GB Gaylussacia baccata

black huckleberry

3

SH Sporobolus heterolepis

prairie dropseed

470

HH Hosta ‘Halcyon’

Halcyon hosta

3

SS Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blaze’

little blue stem

150

HP Hosta ‘Patriot’

Patriot hosta

13

VC Vaccinium corymbosum

Highbush blueberry

2

HQ Hydrangea quercifolia

oakleaf hydrangea

2

VL Viburnum lentago

nannyberry

1

KL

Kalmia latifolia

mountain laurel

2

VP Vaccinium corymbosum’Pink Lemonade’

Pink Lemonade highbush blueberry

1

LA

Leucothoe axillaris

coast leucothoe

2

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

SH (470)

RH

VC

PP

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

MP (75)

A Landscape Design for

MR (40)

Planting Plan: Northern Yard

RH

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Planting Plan: Northern Yard

North

14/18

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Planting Plan: Southern Yard AN AN

AN

VA

KL (3)

VA

HG HG HA

HG

AR AJ (50) HH

AP

HG

AB

KL

XS

HA HP LG (60)

AR

CM (12)

HP

HP GP (6)

KL

KL

AR CM (12) AB

CG

VA VL

AJ (70)

CN AB

XS

VA

AN

XS

HH

HP HP

LG (70)

VA

CM (12)

HP HP

LG (70)

AR

DE

HP

SA

HP DE

HP TB

GF (3)

AS (30) AC

RM

DE

AC

AC

DE

GF (3)

GF

AS (35)

DE

IM TO

AN

GF

KL

SA

XS (3)

IM

TO TO

KL (3)

AN TO

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

VL KL

TO

KL TO

KL LA

AC

GF (3)

LA

AC

DE

TO

LA

GB (3)

AN

KL

TO

Code Botanical Name

Common Name

# of Plants

AJ Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’

bugleweed

AB Abies balsamea ‘Nana’

dwarf balsam fir

3

AC Acer circinatum ‘Del’s Dwarf’

Del Dwarf vine maple

6

AN Aralia nudicaulis

wild sarsaparilla

8

AP Acer palmatum ‘Murasaki Kiyohime’

Murasaki Kiyohime Japanese maple

1

AR Athyrium niponicum ‘Regal Red’

Regal Red Japanese painted fern

4

AS Asarum canadense

Canadian wild ginger

65

CG Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Gracilis Aurea’

Slender golden falsecypress

1

CM Convallaria majalis

lily of the valley

36

CN Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’

Dwarf Hinoki cypress

1

DE Dryopteris erythrosora

Japanese shield fern

6

GB Gaylussacia baccata

black huckleberry

6

GF Geum ‘Fireball’

Fireball avens

11

GP Gaultheria procumbens

creeping wintergreen

6

HA Heuchera x ‘Amethyst Mist’

Amethyst Mist coral bells

5

HG Hosta x ‘Golden Tiara’

Golden Tiara plantain lily

5

HH Hosta ‘Halcyon’

Halcyon hosta

2

HP Hosta ‘Patriot’

Patriot hosta

12

IM Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’

Blue Princess holly

2

KL Kalmia latifolia

mountain laurel

14

LA Leucothoe axillaris

coast leucothoe

3

LG Lamium galeobdolon ‘Variegatum’

yellow archangel

230

LP Leptinella x ‘Platt’s Black’

Platt’s Black brass buttons

12

RM Rhododendron maximum

Rosebay rhododendron

1

SA Symphoricarpos albus

common snowberry

2

TB Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’

spreading English yew

1

TO Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’

American arborvitae

8

VA Vaccinium angustifolium

lowbush blueberry

5

VL Viburnum lentago

nannyberry

2

XS Xanthorhiza simplicissima

yellowroot

7

120

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

HA

XS

GB (3)

Red Gate Lane Woodland

LP (12) HA HA HG

Planting Plan: Southern Yard

HP

A Landscape Design for

LG (30)

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

AN

North

15/18

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Grading Some grading will be needed to effectively manage stormwater.

Cut & Fill Terracing

One-foot-tall rock walls form the terraces on the front yard. The soil removed from the down-slope side is used to fill the up-slope side of the rock wall.

swale

small slope

Small Swale

A small swale directs overflow water from the terraces in the front yard away from the house. Soil excavated to create the swale is moved up against the west side of the house, creating a small slope leading to the swale.

house

Rain Gardens

Soil excavated to create the rain garden depression is used to build a small berm on its edge (see Sheet 18 for details).

B1 C1

B

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

small slope

Red Gate Lane Woodland

rock wall

B1

A1

Rain Garden

terraced bed

water

water

Cut soil Previous slope

A Landscape Design for

B

Filled soil

A

A

D

D1

Asphalt in front of the carport is removed and replaced with permeable pavers to allow for infiltration and to reduce water coming into the carport (see Sheet 18).

KEY

Rain Garden

water flow

C

C1 Large stepping stone

Walkable Swales driveway

storm drain permeable pavers

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

house

One-foot-deep swales are filled with small rocks with large stepping stones placed on top. They channel water to the rain gardens in the back yard where the water can infiltrate (see Sheet 18).

D

D1

Deep swale

Shallow swale Berm

Grading required

for steps

Grading required

for rain garden

Grading

Permeable Pavers

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

C

A1

Small rocks Swale depth 1 foot

North

16/18

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Sustainability: Stormwater Aspects of sustainability can be achieved through effectively managing and holding stormwater runoff on-site. A challenge of this site is to protect the house from water while effectively infiltrating the water. As the soils on-site are a fine sandy loam, water currently drains fairly well. However, by introducing swales to guide water away from the house, the water will no longer be able to disperse naturally across the ground. This larger concentrated amount of water will now be managed by two rain gardens in the backyard.

Top surface of ponding area

Rain Garden Soil Mix Depth (12” to 24” recommended)

Rain Garden Soil Mix (Layer of mulch on top)

Overflow containment Overflow

Existing soil

Bottom of excavation

Living Roof

By using the walking path to channel water to rain gardens, polluted stormwater from the street and roof are diverted from going unfiltered into nearby streams through the storm drain and instead are cleansed through infiltration, recharging the groundwater. (www.youtube.com)

Permeable Pavers

Plants like sedum that are hardy to a rooftop environment are planted in rooftop systems to help filter and reduce the amount of water that leaves the roof. Living roofs also double as insulation, keeping the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. (st.houzz.com) Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Permeable pavers like the turfstone shown here help water to drain quickly while being able to support the weight of cars. And because they are permeable, they are quicker to shed water. (www.enhancecompanies. com)

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

Gradual Side Slopes (2:1 maximum)

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Ponding Depth (6” or 12” typical)

Rain gardens are depressions in the land with a variety of functions, such as slowing water so sediment drops out and cooling water from roofs and roads. The walkable swales will funnel water into these areas where water will sit for no longer that 48 hours, helping to prevent insects like mosquitoes from hatching. The plants within the garden are irrigated while the rain gardens filter the water, remove pollutants and prevent erosion by slowing water. In the event of unusually heavy runoff, the overflow area will help stabilize the soil where the water flows and disperses into the yard. (www. dubberleylandscape.com)

Sustainability: Stormwater

Inflow - Water flowing from the swale is delivered to the rain garden

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Rain Gardens

A Landscape Design for

Walkable Swales

North

17/18

332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4044 www.csld.edu

Sustainability: Habitat Adding water and a diversity of vegetation (species and structure) in the back woodland will create a more stable ecosystem and the conditions for a greater diversity of wildlife.

Supply Water

Many native plants like nannyberry and wild sarsaparilla hold their berries during the winter. During a time when food is scarce, this can be a valuable resource for animals such as squirrels and birds.

Elements can be placed in a design to allow for water catchment that will be of use to various animals without attracting bothersome insects like mosquitoes. Rain gardens can operate as temporary sources of water. Even depressions in rocks can act as water catchments.

Create Cover

Diverse layers of trees, shrubs, and low-growing plants offer temporary shelter out of the rain or protection from predators for birds and small animals like chipmunks.

Red Gate Lane Woodland

Provide Food

Supply Water

Create Cover

Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Young

Rock with depression to capture water.

Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Young

Shrubs, trees and rocks can provide valuable places for animals to raise their young in a safe protected place.

Quails find refuge under a shrub.

During the snowy months, birds can find refuge from predators and harsh weather in vegetation.

Not for construction. Part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Bird nesting in a rock wall.

Bird’s nest within the cover of a shrub.

Sustainability: Habitat

A Landscape Design for

Habitat Cornerstones Aralia nudicaulis wild sarsaparilla

Laura Quilter & Michelle Markstein 101 Red Gate Lane, Amherst, MA 01002

Rain garden with temporary standing water.

Viburnum lentago nannyberry

Prepared By: Beth Batchelder

Provide Food

North

18/18