Looscan Lane

About

The corner lot in River Oaks was selected primarily for the mature Live Oaks on Looscan Lane, in front of the newly built house. Under the Oaks a rich variety of shade tolerant ground covers and shrubs run through the space in broad sweeping swathes, drawing the eye through the garden and to the house. These overlapping bands, contrasting in color and texture, are peppered with Forest Pansy Redbuds. The rooms of the house face out to the garden rooms on all sides. Reclaimed pieces and antiques bring an old world, somewhat rustic charm to the house and garden. The living room opens out into an intimate shade garden on one side with seating and lounge areas, fireplace, a reclaimed well head repurposed as a planter, and water falling in an antique limestone fountain. Whitebud trees are understory to Mexican White Oak and Shumard Oaks. Dwarf and tall Azaleas, spring and fall blooming Camellias, mixed ferns, and groundcovers reside below. Expansive windows on the other side of the living room view a large antique fountain centered in the apse shaped planting of Pineapple Guava and fragrant Camellias with seasonal plantings. Exiting the living area, we walk over the reclaimed brick terrace, with climbing roses and Passion Flower over openings of the covered portion of the terrace, down circular grass and brick steps to Zoysia lawn. An over-the-top potting shed tucks in on one side of the apse, as the vegetable garden lies opposite. The conservatory garden is centered on an indoor/outdoor space glazed on 3 sides. The walled conservatory garden combines white Camellias, ferns, and perennial color plants, Salvias and Plumbago in a border that surrounds Zoysia lawn with decorative gate centered in the main view. The kitchen and dining area faces two separate garden rooms. From the kitchen window above the sink, we see Red Maples flank a view beyond to a backdrop of holly hedge full to ground. A mix of sculpted Dwarf Yaupon, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Espalier of Camellia, Boston Ivy, and mixed groundcover fill the foreground. The view from dining overlooks the apse with conservatory beyond.

This garden’s estimated size is 1/4 acre.

2025 Open Day:  Saturday, April 26

Hours:10-4