June 7, 2025

Drakestone Estate

Drakestone Estate
Donovan Wilson
Drakestone Estate

Project Overview

LOCATION: Nichols Hills, Oklahoma
PROPERTY TYPE: Residential
PROJECT DURATION: May 30th, 2025- June 5th, 2025
SERVICES PROVIDED: Landscape Design

Project Background

Located on a beautiful corner lot in Nichols Hills, this homeowner came to us looking to bring life and color to a landscape that felt overly uniform. While the property featured great bones—ornamental grasses, junipers, evergreens, and Indian hawthorn bushes—it lacked vibrancy and seasonal interest. The client wanted their home’s exterior to feel as welcoming and eye-catching as its architectural charm. The goal: add color, improve structure, and create a more balanced and curated landscape experience.

Objectives

COLOR & SEASONAL INTEREST:
Introduce blooming perennials and flowering shrubs to brighten the space and add long-lasting seasonal color.

STRUCTURE & FLOW:
Relocate existing bushes and boulders to create better visual balance and flow between the front and side yard beds.

CLEAN FOUNDATION:
Remove weeds, grasses, and old mulch, then spread weed control and premium mulch for a fresh, low-maintenance finish.

Challenges

Both flower beds required complete clearing and reshaping. The northeast bed had an overgrown layout with misplaced shrubs, while the west bed featured ornamental grasses that had outgrown their space and disrupted the overall design. Creating a cohesive flow between relocated boulders and plantings required thoughtful layout and precision.

Solution

NORTHEAST BED TRANSFORMATION:
We removed all weeds, debris, and outdated mulch. A large bush with vibrant flowers was relocated toward the front of the bed to better showcase its blooms. We also repositioned a large boulder and relocated another boulder from the west bed to fill a natural void. New plantings included vibrant Garden Phlox, Black-Eyed Susans, and an Azalea shrub to create layers of color. A new concrete pad was also installed to accommodate a decorative vase in the future. A layer of Weed control and a fresh 2-inch layer of premium cedar mulch completed the bed.

WEST BED UPGRADE:
We cleared weeds, removed ornamental grasses and old mulch, and relocated a large boulder to the northeast bed. In its place, we installed Orange Rocket Japanese Barberry for deep contrast and Solanna Golden Sphere for vibrant color. Trimmed existing shrubs and added weed control and fresh mulch for a polished finish.

Renderings

Before / After Photos

Results

COLORFUL, CURATED LANDSCAPE:
The new beds now feature bold textures, varied heights, and coordinated blooms that enhance curb appeal and seasonal interest.

BALANCED DESIGN:
Relocating key elements like shrubs and boulders created a natural, balanced flow between the beds and throughout the yard.

LOW-MAINTENANCE BEAUTY:
With weed control and premium cedar mulch, the new design is not only attractive but also easier to maintain long-term.

Conclusion

What was once a landscape dominated by evergreen structure is now a vibrant, thoughtfully designed garden that highlights the beauty of this Nichols Hills corner lot. By enhancing color, improving flow, and blending new life with existing character, we helped the client turn their landscape into a true focal point of the neighborhood.