Melanie Rekola Landscape Design
50 Hubbert Cres. L4N-9M4 Barrie, ON, Canada

Back to the berries . Winter doesn’t have to be colourless! This is Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) , a gorgeous native Ontario shrub that doesn’t get enough love in my opinion. These bright-red berries last most of the winter and come springtime when the migratory fruit-eating birds return they’ll have these lovelies to dine on. . . .’... . #winterberry #winterberries #ilexverticillata #ilex #winterinterest #berriesfordays #birdgarden #gardenloversofinstagram #plantingdesign #nativeplantsontario #redberries #gardenideas #gardenforwildlife See more

The living owe it to those who can no longer speak to tell their story for them - Czeslaw Milosz I remember and am eternally grateful to all who fought and died for us, and to all who continue to serve. . .... . . #lestweforget #penandinkillustration See more

More under-deck solutions The area under an upper deck is often conundrum. Grass doesn’t grow well in shade and though you could put down filter cloth and river stone, eventually weeds will creep in. Instead , why not plant a pretty shade garden of ferns or Hosta as I’ve shown here? Adjacent to the fern garden there’s a shaded sitting space with hanging chairs and a corten steel screen between. The laser cut panels will make interesting light patterns on the walls of the si...tting space - I’ll play around with the light here to try to capture it - stay tuned and happy Monday! . . . . #deckdesign #3ddesigner #3drenderings #3dmodeler #hangingchair #outdoorlivingroom #outdoordesigner #scandinaviandesigner #landscapedesigns #luxuryoutdoor #luxuryoutdoorfurniture #concreteplanters #modernlandscapedesign #modernlandscape #shadegarden See more

A gorgeous weekend is apon us! Last chance to plant your spring bulbs. A little effort now will bring so much happiness come springtime. Happy Friday everyone!

The beautiful coral-coloured sky last evening really made this textural, Scandinavian style garden shine! Still so much beauty to see here even in its November decay.

Fall feels on this beautiful holiday Monday - hope you’re having a great one! . . . . ... #plungepool #backyarddreams #smallbackyard #modernlandscapedesign #moderngarden #fallfeels #pooldesigns #pooldesigner #scandinaviandesigner #instapool #dreampool #patiodesign #succulentdesign #poolinspo See more

Gardens and landscaping around newly built homes are especially important to help integrate them into their surroundings like they’ve always been there! A general rule of thumb is that garden beds should about as deep as 1/3 the house height for proper scale. The full view of this gorgeous custom home (it’s currently for sale) complete with bespoke landscaping. Which view do you like better - daytime or nighttime ? . Landscape Design by Melanie Rekola Custom home by Ma...pleridge Homes Photo credit and listing by The Faris Team . . . #frontyardlandscaping #frontyardgarden #modernlandscape #frontyardgardening #moderngarden #gardengoals #gardendesigns #landscapedesigns #gardenplanning #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #modernclassicstyle #boxwoods #landscapestyle See more

I Modern Monday ! I worked with custom home builder @mapleridgehomes on this landscape design a couple of years ago and now the gorgeous home and landscape is complete! House is currently on the market - 40 Marni Lane, Springwater . Photo credit and listing @faristeam Landscape Design : Melanie Rekola Home builder : Mapleridge Homes ... . . . I’ll definitely be posting more about this fab space! . . #modernmonday #modernlandscape #frontyardgarden #frontyardlandscaping #customlandscape #custombuilds #ornamentalgrasses #moderngarden #landscapedesigns #modernlandscapedesign #gardendesign #gardendesigner

Backyard ponds are such a great source of entertainment and enjoyment. These pond frogs have all become so tame - they even stay there when I walk by! All 8 are squeezing out every last bit of summer-like fun in the sun . Hope you are too! . . . .... #frogpond #backyardpond #waterfall #scupper #floatingsteps #ponddesign #modernlandscape #frogsofinstagram #froglove #froglover #instafrog #backyarddesign See more

A cool corton steel privacy screen, a large planter and a glowing landscape light are a winning combination. They can transform an ugly corner into a beautiful focal point! Balmy summer temperatures continue into the weekend - hope everyone has a great one . . . .... #privacyscreen #privacyscreens #cortensteel #gardenideas #landscapelighting #landscapelightingdesign #nightlighting #focalpoint #nightgarden #scandinaviandesigner #outdoordesigner #gardendreams #planterdesign See more

Stopped by this large rustic beauty set amongst mature maple trees earlier this week. The gardens and walkways were installed over a decade ago! These clients just sold this home and I’m shocked. When we met so many years ago they didn’t even want to leave this gorgeous space to grab groceries . Love these old site visits . . . .... #rusticgarden #gardendesign #landscapedesign #frontyardgarden #frontyardlandscaping #frontyard #plantingplan #gardenlove #gardenloversofinstagram #landscapedesigner #landscapedesigners See more

It’s a stellar year for the Anemone and fall blooms are far from over! What’s blooming in your garden? . . . You may notice the cheery yellow centres of this pink Japanese Anemone. Though pink and yellow may not be a combo that comes to mind when planning a garden space by strategically planting yellow blooms (Blackeyed Susan’s) beside, harmony is created through colour repetition. Nature often has the best colour combos! ... Japanese Anemone is a plant I fell in love with early in my career. It can take quite a few years to establish but worth the wait to have these pretty pink blooms into October. . . . #pinkblooms #pinkblossom #anemoneflower #japaneseanemone #fallblooms #fallflowers #gardendesign #gardeninspo #gardenloversofinstagram #flowerphotographer #pinkandyellow #gardencolour #mygardenthismonth

It doesn’t quite look like Fall around here yet but it does feel like it! Brrr need a winter coat and fire to sit outside and take in the sunset. . . Gaura still pushing out blossoms like a champ! She doesn’t mind cold nighttime temps being a desert plant. .... . . #outdoorliving #outdoorlivingroom #dreambackyard #outdoordesigner #scandinaviandesigner #landscapedesigner #gardendreams #backyarddesign #backyardoasis #gaura #sedums See more

I’m not one to share progress shots often but this one’s pretty exciting - the courtyard at @cavanaspaandsalon is in and being planted as I write this! There are lots of fun features included in this landscape plan such as this massive central water bowl and fire bowls flanking the front entrance. And that’s just the exterior - wait ‘till you see the amazing spa building and it’s luxurious interior by @madison.taylor.inc ! Landscape Design by Melanie Rekola . . .... . #landscapedesigner #courtyard #courtyarddesign #exteriordesigner #exteriordesigns #outdoordesign #outdoordesigner #gardendesigns #gardendesigner #plantingdesign #commerciallandscaping #plantingday #boxwoods See more

So many wildflowers springing into bloom right now! This in the background is trefoil (also known by many, many other common names such as birds foot and grammas toes lol) and it seems unfazed by extensive heat and drought. It really makes one question why we aren’t using more wildflowers in our home gardens. This gorgeous native plant forms a dense and long blooming mat that also is beneficial to pollinators! #trefoil #nativeplants

It's that time of year again - please everyone lets squash that horrible old myth and get these babies back in their nests!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter! I know it’s a weird one this year but I hope you can all find some enjoyment and happiness in what you have. I eat and support local farmers and chicken eggs were sold out last time I shopped at Nicholyn Farms so these are duck eggs shown here! They are super delicious and have a larger yoke. Most of the nutrition is in the yoke too Stay and be well everyone! #eattheyoke #shoplocal #eatlocal #thankafarmer #decoratewithnature #ediblearrangement

In this time of uncertainty I thought I’d share again my article on veggie upcycling. Many veggies you have in your fridge right now can be regrown just in water!! I do this often just because it saves money and growing things is fun! Plants are amazing and we will get through this together. Stay well everyone - sending love and positive vibes #veggieupcycling #regrowyourveggies #goodtoknow

Little laugh of the day :)

Drone footage of this little paradise in Richmond Hill. My design from 2017, built in 2018. #poolplan #swimmingpooldesigner #sportcourt #modernclassiclandscapedesign

The Amazing Dance Of Nature: Watch Plants Grow

Fall colour is at its peak! Get out to the forest ASAP or you’ll miss it! #ontarioforests #forestbathing #connecttonature #itsfallyall #fallcolour

Tiny backyard? No problem with availability of custom pool shapes ! . . . .... . #swimmingpooldesign #swimmingpooldesigner #landscapedesign #backyardgoals #tinybackyard #custompools #custompool #ontariolandscapedesigner See more

If you want more butterflies in spring, don't treat autumn leaves like litter!

Love hydrangeas? I do too!! Get all the info and my tried and true favorites in the latest issues of Our Homes Magazine #hydrangealove #hydrangeas #landscapedesigner #ontariolandscapedesigner #gardenwriter

*Monarch update* We’ve released 4 healthy Monarch butterfly’s to date! It’s been super fun and exciting to help these endangered creatures. PM me with questions if you’d also like to do this home. It’s really easy and wonderful thing to do with your kids! #raisingmonarchs #monarchmama #monarchrelease

We’ve successfully raised 8 monarch cats to chrysalis! Watch the amazing transformation of #8!! #raisingmonarchs #monarchmama #savethemonarchs #catterpillartochrysalis

Monarch update! The caterpillars are growing fast and referred to as cats. Here we have a big cat and a little cat. Generally you don’t keep the big ones and small ones together. I’ve now separated the large one and it’s now formed a chrysalis! Stay tuned. #monarchmama #naturelover #monarchcaterpillars #raisingmonarchs

Happy to report I’m a proud mama of 6 young monarch caterpillars! I have them safely munching away of their milkweed leaves far from any predators They grow so quickly- this is going to be fun! #lifeinthegarden #monarchbabies #caterpillars

We just might have an egg layer! Hoping for some baby caterpillars on the Milkweed this year Happy Friday everyone! #landscapedesigner #naturelover #monarch #milkweedformonarchs

I love water features! I find they add so much ambience to a space and really help drown out the less than ideal sounds of summer... just playing around with time laps here in this video. #modernlandscapededesigner #modernwaterfeature

The garden is relying heavily on the purples this year! #landscapedesigner #plantingdesign #gardendesign

Happy long weekend everyone! #landscapedesigner #swimmingpooldesigner #backyardgoals #ivorysilktreelilac

It’s been such a rainy spring this year, much to the dismay of many. But by adding a covered room to your landscape you can still enjoy your outdoor space to its fullest! #landscapedesigner #swimmingpooldesigner #lovemyjob

Some amazing aerial footage by Robert Oswin - a happy client and proud new pool owner!

Pool ownership has its responsibilities... every year many small animals and fledgling birds drown in pools and water features. They are young and curious about the water but once they enter deeper water they wings get waterlogged trapping them so they can’t fly out. By adding a simple on ground bird bath many lives are saved! Give them a safe place to bathe and have a drink . #landscapedesigner #naturelover #birdnerd

Super beautiful animation with lots to teach!

Hey everyone, it’s me Spring - I finally arrived in central Ontario! Sorry I took so long to get here this year. Hope you’re having a fabulous long weekend! #springishere #landscapedesigner #forestlover #larch

Studies have shown that 2 mason bees (specifically this bee, Osmia lignaria) can do as much pollination work as 100 honey bees in some orchards.

Did you know bumble bees have added to the endangered animals list? Read my latest in Our Homes Magazine on how to help all pollinators in your very own yard! #savethebees #plantsforpollinators #landscapedesigner #gardenwriter

Some people find is hard to interpret plan view drawings and this is where 3D models can help. See before you build! If you are planning a landscape project for 2019 DM me to see how I can assist in bringing your #backyardgoals to life! Spring fast approaches and space is limited. Here is what I've been working on lately - love this modern space! ... #modernlandscapedesigner #3Ddesign #3Dlandscapedesign #3Drenderings #3Dlandscapedesigner #swimmingpooldesigner #sunkenfirepit #daybeds #glassedge #stainlesssteelspa #stainlesssteelswimmingpool #freestandingfireplace #plantingdesign #herringbonedeck See more

Important points! Lets treat our residential trees to a long and healthy life.