When the catastrophe that was Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Shore in 2012, builders were in the early stages of construction of a Seaside Park home. Though this particular plot of land was spared the worst of Sandy’s fury, the storm was a devastating reminder of the vicissitudes of Mother Nature. Keeping that in mind, the owners of this residence called in Beth Pellegrini of Cording Landscape Design in Towaco… Click here to read the full ‘Summertime Strong’ article > The post ‘Extra! Extra!’   DesignNJ June/July 2017 appeared first on Cording Landscape Design ..read more

There’s nothing like the sight and sound of water to both soothe and excite and — above all — to add a special dimension to a landscaping scheme. There are many design options open to homeowners. This pond features a waterfall that breaks into distinct streams — one has a more vertical drop that creates sound, the other cascades into the pond and creates a view of white water. The post ‘Water World!’   DesignNJ June/July 2008 appeared first on Cording Landscape Design ..read more

BUILDING THE IDEAL POOL HOUSE WAS A MATTER OF STRIKING THE RIGHT balance for a family in Union County. They had to balance the space limitations imposed by their town — 24 feet by 24 feet — with their desire to accommodate large gatherings. They wanted an eating area with the comfort and climate control found indoors but didn’t want to sacrifice the feeling of being outside.They wanted a building with elegant details in an environment durable enough to stand up to wet swimsuits. And they wanted to entertain groups such as their children’s scout troops and soccer teammates while keeping the mes ..read more

A personal outdoor sanctuary is an important part of feeling connected to all of life. Each of us has been blessed with an innate need to celebrate and glorify life. At a most basic level, we honor the forces that came together to bring us into being by caring for our bodies and our souls. To truly rejoice in existence, we must also learn to cultivate loveliness in those special places that replenish the soul. When we create a garden sanctuary, we are reminded that we are a part of both nature’s essence and something more. An outdoor retreat is a place we can surround ourselves in nature, beau ..read more

With a mature width of only 10-12’ and height of 16-18’, the Adirondack Crabapple is the perfect ornamental tree for narrow spaces and formal gardens.  This “crab” is profusely covered with dark carmine red buds in the spring that explode into fragrant, elegant white “apple blossom” flowers. It is one of the heaviest flowering crabapples and requires virtually no pruning. In addition to this, during the summer, the ‘Adirondacks’ upright habit combined with its dark green leaves makes it the perfect focal point for any garden.  In the fall, its bright orange-red fruit provides an excellent food ..read more

It shimmers, it cascades, it inspires. If you feel your property is lacking that special something, a one-of-a-kind element that is unique to your home, look no further than the element of water! When incorporated into a landscape design, aquatic features can transform an average setting into one that is magnificent. The addition of a water feature offers many benefits to the landscape. Water promotes a tranquil atmosphere, it provides pleasing sounds, and it can increase the value of your property. There is also the flexibility of size, shape, and degree of initial investment. Water features ..read more

What is more beautiful than peonies? Nothing! Peonies are a traditional springtime plant that can light up a garden, even on a cloudy day. The Itoh Peony is hands down the best flowering plant available in May in our opinion. Now the Itoh Peony is not your typical peony. All of the things you love about the classic plant have been hybridized into a new family of peonies that will knock your socks off! The horticulturalists behind the Itoh Peony were so clever that they even solved the issues that drove you crazy about the original peony (i.e. floppy flowers that drooped and housed every ant i ..read more

Happy Mother’s Day from the Cording Landscape Design family! We believe that mothers are like flowers, each one beautiful and unique. Now that spring has sprung, we wanted to share some of our favorite spring flowering container gardens. Instead of being planted in the ground, container gardens are grown in any kind of container you can imagine—pots, boxes, barrels, baskets and more. They can be as big or as small, as simple or as extravagant as you like, making them the perfect way to add variety to your landscape. The container gardens pictured here display beautiful combinations of bulbs, a ..read more

Unleashing the hidden potential of a property can be quite daunting. Before a shovel ever hits the ground, there’s a tremendous amount of research and design that needs to be completed. The unique features of each site affect the design program Cording creates. This Mendham estate, which sits on one of Morris County’s highest elevations, is a great example. The site offers unparalleled views of the surrounding hillsides, but the rear yard sloped away from the home so dramatically that terracing was a necessary part of the design. Cording worked with the owners to create outdoor living spaces ..read more

When you think of spring, you think of tulips, spring training, April showers, cherry blossoms… and LILACS! No garden is complete without one. How can you resist the incredible fragrance, beautiful purple flowers, and mini habitat that invites butterflies and hummingbirds? Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “I love lilacs, but the blossoms are so short lived!  I wish they bloomed longer.” Wish no more—we’re here to introduce you to the Bloomerang Lilac! The same sweet smell, the same shade of purple consuming the shrub, and the same haven to the local butterflies and birds—only in a compact ..read more