Garden Studio by Anna Baranova
Keep the woods.
Ornamental garden guidance for wooded yards and difficult growing conditions.
Work with meBuild the garden.
Not every shade plant is made for this.
The site comes first.
The plant list comes second.
Mature trees change more than the light. Roots compete for moisture and space, and plants that technically tolerate shade can still become sparse, leggy, or fail. I start by understanding the conditions already there, then design around what can genuinely thrive.
One space. One clear direction.
Garden Direction Session
60-minute virtual session · $125
Send me one garden area that isn't working. I'll review the conditions before we meet, we'll work through the space together, and you'll receive a written direction for what to keep, move, rethink, and do next.
Request a session-
Send the space
01Share one clearly defined garden area and what you want to change.
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Talk it through
02We meet by video and work through the conditions, structure, and priorities.
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Leave with a direction
03You receive a concise written summary for what to do next.
For one ornamental bed or clearly defined garden area. Planting drawings, construction, drainage, irrigation, and installation aren't part of this session.
Need a complete planting layout? Detailed one-bed planting plans are available after the consultation when the project is a good fit. The total is $375, with the $125 session credited and a $250 balance due before plan work begins.
Booking policy: one complimentary reschedule is available with at least 48 hours' notice. Because project review and preparation begin before the meeting, the $125 session payment is generally non-refundable after the appointment is booked.
A useful document, not another overwhelming plan.
Your Garden Direction Summary
A clear record of the site conditions, the design direction we discussed, and the next priorities for moving the bed forward.
Garden Studio by Anna Baranova
Garden Direction Summary
Holly path bed
Raleigh, NC
Site reading
Replace failed lawn with a layered shade bed
01 Dense evergreen holly canopy.
02 Root competition from surrounding trees.
03 Compacted clay soil beside the path.
Planting direction continues
The following pages set out the hydrangea, Sarcococca, and forest-grass layers, followed by the order of work.
A real project
In progress
Replacing failed lawn beneath a mature holly
The useful shift was not finding a tougher grass. It was accepting that this strip beneath a mature holly needs an ornamental role designed around the conditions already there.
A narrow strip of thinning grass beside the path, already showing that lawn is not the right use for this space.
The distant view makes the scale of the holly, its low evergreen canopy, and the surrounding woodland competition visible.
What I saw
The site sets the limits.
- Dense evergreen holly canopy 01
- Root competition from the holly and surrounding trees 02
- Compacted clay soil 03
Proposed planting direction
Three layers for structure, texture, and contrast.
This is the working plant direction, not a finished-garden rendering. The project is still being installed and observed.
Closest layer beneath the holly
Smooth hydrangea
Chosen for flower power, with native smooth hydrangea offering better drought and shade tolerance for this difficult position.
Middle layer
Sarcococca
The structural evergreen layer, adding winter interest and fragrance beside the path.
Lower path edge
Japanese forest grass
A soft, bright textural layer to contrast with the evergreen foliage and define the path.
Final result
Photograph coming after planting
Anna Baranova, designer and gardener
A designer who chose the woods.
My husband and I spent two years traveling across the U.S. before settling on a wooded acre near Raleigh. We wanted the trees and the quiet. I also wanted flowers, structure, seasonal interest, and a garden that felt intentional.
Most of my property is difficult shade, so I've spent the last two years learning what really performs there, including the plants I've pushed too hard, moved, or given up on. Garden Studio brings that close observation together with the way I work as a designer: understand the real constraints, find the useful pattern, and make the next decision clearer.
Garden Studio is a personal garden-guidance service offered by Anna Baranova.
A few useful answers
Before you send your space.
Start with your space
Tell me what you want to change.
No photo upload and no long questionnaire yet. I will first review whether the project fits, then reply within two business days. If it does, you will complete the detailed intake and send photographs before choosing an appointment.
After I confirm that your intake and photographs are complete, you will accept the Garden Studio Service Agreement, choose an available appointment at least three business days later, and pay $125 through Stripe to reserve it.
Project information and photographs remain private. I will never publish a client's property or use it in BloomMap content without separate written permission. Read the Privacy Policy.