Modern Perennial Garden Design – Lord Seaton Rd, Toronto
Status
Completed
Project Type
House
Project Area
150,000 Sq. Ft.
Design Duration
1 Month Design
Installation Duration
1 Month Design
Price Range
$10k - $20k
Project description
The homeowners of Lord Seaton Road in Toronto approached Leo Landscape Studio through a referral from a trusted hardscape contractor, seeking a modern and artistic garden that could soften the sharp lines of their ultra-contemporary home. The residence’s architecture featured bold geometry and clean façades — an ideal canvas for a design that celebrated texture, contrast, and movement.
Our goal was to create a matrix-style perennial garden that would complement the home’s minimalist architecture while adding rhythm and organic flow. The result is a living composition that balances structure and softness, turning an understated front yard into a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
Design Development
Using Dynascape, we began with a detailed site analysis to study sunlight exposure, soil composition, and architectural sightlines from the home’s entry and main windows. From there, two design concepts were developed — one structured and symmetrical, and another more fluid and naturalistic. The homeowners chose a hybrid version that emphasized repetition, motion, and subtle layering.
Instead of relying on the typical suburban planting palette, we introduced a contemporary plant composition that combined texture, color, and scale in a rhythmic arrangement. Each species was carefully selected for its seasonal character — from the upright form of Feather Reed Grass to the cloud-like movement of Fountain Grass and the long-lasting blooms of Lavender, Astilbe, and Russian Sage.
Installation & Execution
Once the design was finalized, our team coordinated all plant sourcing, delivery, and layout supervision. Working alongside Oakly Landscaping, the installation was completed in a single day — but only after meticulous preparation.
The soil bed was regraded to improve drainage and promote healthy root establishment. A custom triple-mix planting medium was blended with organic compost to ensure the long-term performance of the perennials and grasses. Each plant was positioned according to its mature spread and growth rate to maintain the visual balance envisioned in the plan.
The ornamental grasses were installed in soft drifts to create visual movement in the wind, while low-growing perennials filled the spaces between, forming a cohesive tapestry that transitions beautifully through the seasons. Edge definition was achieved with natural steel garden edging, maintaining clean separation between plant beds and pathways.
Finally, irrigation lines were adjusted to provide deep watering cycles for newly installed plants, minimizing stress and encouraging strong root growth during the first few weeks of establishment.
Design Intent & Visual Outcome
The completed front garden reflects the principles of modern minimalism and natural elegance. Each planting layer contributes to a broader composition — vertical movement from the Feather Reed Grass, soft mounding from Catmint and Lavender, and structural permanence from the Inkberry Holly shrubs.
At first glance, the garden feels calm and orderly, yet as the seasons progress, its colors shift and textures evolve. In spring, pale greens and early blooms dominate; by midsummer, warm purples, pinks, and silvers take center stage; and in autumn, the grasses transform into golden plumes, catching the light and adding drama against the home’s façade.
The final result is a landscape that enhances the property’s architecture without competing with it — warm, balanced, and full of quiet sophistication. The homeowners were thrilled by how the design transformed their modern exterior into a more welcoming, artful space that continues to evolve naturally year after year.
Key Details
- Location: Lord Seaton Rd, Toronto
- Project Cost: $15,000
- Project Duration 1 month Design + 1 Day Installation
- Client: Residential Home
- Companies Worked with: Oakly Landscaping
- Landscape Design Software: Dynascape
Services:
Installed:
Trees
- Amelanchier laevis — Allegheny Serviceberry
Shrubs
- Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’ — Shamrock Inkberry Holly
- Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ — Munstead English Lavender
Ornamental Grasses
- Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ — Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
- Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ — Elijah Blue Blue Fescue
- Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’ — Little Bunny Chinese Fountain Grass
- Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Lemon Squeeze’ — Lemon Squeeze Fountain Grass
Perennials
- Anemone × hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ — Honorine Jobert Hybrid Windflower
- Echinacea pallida — Pale Coneflower
- Gaura lindheimeri — Whirling Butterflies
- Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ — Catmint
- Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire’ — Little Spire Russian Sage
- Salvia nemorosa ‘Blauhugel (Blue Hill)’ — Meadow Sage
- Astilbe arendsii ‘Erica’ — Erika Astilbe
Features
Matrix Garden Design
Modern layout blending rhythm and texture.
Contemporary Aesthetic
Complements the home’s clean architectural lines.
Perennial Layers
Seasonal color through Lavender, Sage, and Astilbe.
Ornamental Grasses
Movement and structure using Feather Reed and Fountain Grass.
One-Day Installation
Efficient execution with Oakly Landscaping collaboration.
Custom Soil Blend
Improved drainage and plant health for longevity.
Steel Garden Edging
Defines boundaries with crisp modern detailing.
Four-Season Interest
Evolving textures and colors year-round in Toronto’s climate.
Media
Support email
info@leolandscapestudio.ca
Phone number
(519) 731-4624
Location
The Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.
Leave us a message
Ready to bring your landscape vision to life? At Leo Landscape Studio, we design outdoor spaces with intention and creativity, serving homeowners across Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, and Etobicoke. Whether you’re planning a full backyard transformation, need 3D design renderings, or want long-term seasonal planning, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
