In Beach Haven, a Landscape Emerges While a Home Is in Limbo

The new backyard was created before the house was torn down

The home’s entry features ‘Tuscarora’ crape myrtle trees, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, Endless Summer^® hydrangea, Knock Out^® rose and Elephant Ear in a pot on the deck.

The logistics of a landscape renovation project can be daunting under any circumstances, but in the case of this Beach Haven property, the conditions were particularly unusual. When Manahawkin-based Reynolds began the project, the fate of the house itself was undecided. Would the existing home be raised, razed or renovated?

The team at Reynolds, including landscape architect Brian Swank, LLA, working under the direction of project management specialist Luke Reynolds, began work even before the decision was made. “We weren’t sure what the owners would do with the house in terms of renovation or rebuilding, but our whole design was based on minimal future disturbance to the outdoor living space when the time came,” Swank says.

Outdoor Entertainment Spaces
To accommodate the uncertainty, the first phase of the project encompassed the land beginning 10 feet from the back of the house and extending to the bulkhead on the canal. Though the house was in flux, the homeowners knew exactly how they wanted the property to look. “The client wanted a terraced effect,” Swank says. “The project would have worked with the existing topography because it was generally flat, but we created the varied levels the homeowner wanted. Essentially the whole patio around the pool is two steps higher than the cabana, firepit and bocce areas to create a terraced effect even though the site didn’t require it; that adds interest to the landscape and adds definition to the different areas.”

The rear of the property was tiered at the request of the homeowner. A fence along the water’s edge keeps youngsters safe. Plants at left of pool include ‘Natchez’ crape myrtle, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, ‘Winter Gem’ boxwood, Vitex, Knock Out^® Rose, Endless Summer^® hydrangea and BloomStruck^® hydrangea. Plants between the pool and the house include BloomStruck hydrangea and Scout™ Maiden Grass. Between the pool and the bocce ball court is ‘Hameln’ fountain grass. At right, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, Vitex, ‘Natchez’ crape myrtle, BloomStruck hydrangea, St. John’s Wort and Autumn Olive. The pottery holds mixed annuals and Scout Maiden Grass.

Reynolds packed the now-tiered property with a variety of gathering spots. “Everything was about creating a beautiful gathering place for the extended family,” Swank explains. Reynolds accomplished that goal — and then some — including entertainment spaces for family members of all ages: a swimming pool, cabana, bar, fire pit, outdoor wet bar with a TV and even a bocce ball court.

This would be the family’s “private oasis,” according to Swank. “Privacy is something they felt strongly about.” To ensure that the backyard would feel like a secluded retreat, Reynolds surrounded the property with large trees and shrubs, including crape myrtle and Hollywood juniper.

Coastally Comfortable Plantings
The hardscape is broken up with grasses in beds and pots. “The client really loves ornamental grasses. That was something he was wanted to have as a focal feature.” For color, the company incorporated various hydrangeas, St. John’s Wort and Russian sage. “They’re go-to summer flowering plants that look fantastic.”

The cabana and wet bar are just steps away from the saltwater pool. Plantings include ‘Natchez’ crape myrtle, BloomStruck Hydrangea, St. John’s Wort, Brodie juniper, Leyland cypress, Autumn Olive, Endless Summer hydrangea and Limelight hydrangea. The pots are filled with mixed annuals and Scout Maiden Grass.

The plants also withstand the coastal climate, though this location is somewhat forgiving. “On the oceanfront, you have constant wind and a lot more salt spray in the air,” Swank explains. “Once you get a house or two in off the ocean, the houses, decks and other structures diffuse the ocean wind. So the planting changes very quickly as you move away from the sea.”

The backyard is outfitted with light and sound systems. The client asked for multiple zones, landscape architect Brian Swank says. “He wanted the kids to be able to listen to their music in one area while he listens to Sinatra in another.”

A Safe Space
Safety was, of course, another important consideration since children would be visitors to this property, so Reynolds edged the canal-adjacent edge with a fence, while still maintaining aesthetic standards. “We added a powder-coated aluminum handrail along the water side for additional safety for toddlers. We went with the black finish to blend in with the lagoon so it would ‘disappear’ rather than contrast and stand out.”

The bocce ball court can do double duty as a play area. “We used artificial turf,” Swank says. “It’s not only a nice natural aesthetic but also offers a soft, friendly surface for young children to play.” (The property’s original home is in the background at right.) Plantings at back left are Russian sage, silverberry, privet, Natchez crape myrtle. Hameln grass borders the pool. In the foreground are Autumn Olive, Endless Summer hydrangea, Sedum Kamkatchium, St. John’s Wort, Limelight hydrangea, Natchez crape myrtle, and Twist and Shout hydrangea.

In the end, the existing home was torn down and a new one built without compromising the new landscape, thanks to Reynolds’ precautionary actions. “We added a construction fence to protect the back,” Swank notes. “We framed a temporary deck with plywood over the pool to help prevent any debris from damaging it.”

Chilly evenings can be spent seated around the fire pit (shown here with the property’s original home behind it). Plants include Summer Crush hydrangea, privet, Limelight hydrangea, Knock Out rose and boxwood.

The landscape remained unmarred during the build thanks to impeccable planning by the Reynolds team. “Luke is the mastermind who runs the jobs every day. He’s well-versed in all the trades and the very best when it comes to managing complex, multifaceted projects such as this one,” Swank says. Once the new house was built, Reynolds created a landscape design for the front of the home that’s colorful and amenable to the environment, providing a warm, beautiful welcome to the family who gathers here.

The shower is located at the back of the cabana.