Cornstalk Fence Mansion

The iconic Cornstalk Fence Mansion is a historic gem in the heart of the Garden District. For this multifaceted project, I wanted to add modern greenery with pops of soft pink while honoring the property’s rich New Orleans heritage. 

Throughout the property, I anchored the larger-than-life architecture with massive bold greenery, combining striking tropical plants like birds of paradise and palms with classic regional staples like aspidistra and citrus trees.

I absolutely adored playing off the home’s updated soft pink paint with the underplantings I selected. I carefully chose light pink flowers, delicate white blooms, and silver-leafed or variegated trailers to complement rather than compete with the home’s paint color. The result is a rich outdoor space that creates a fabulously fresh contrast of old and new.

  • Birds of Paradise

    My first step in this project was anchoring the sweeping side porch with one of the largest birds of paradise I could find. The tropical staple, with its broad, dark green leaves, contrasts the historic architecture on this shady side of the house. 

  • Poolside Planters

    Something about potted citrus feels wonderfully European, another tribute to the Garden District’s rich history. Fragrant blooms in the spring and fresh, bold fruit in the winter make citrus the perfect match for this client’s most visited area—the ideal complement to this historic home’s thoughtful modernization.

  • Herb Garden

    A potted herb garden beautifully marries functionality with aesthetic charm, and you can’t beat the accessibility to fresh ingredients from the kitchen. I love displaying each herb in its olive jug for an Old World feel. 

  • Privacy Palms

    This house is an iconic New Orleans site and a frequent stop on walking tours, so adding privacy was a major factor in designing plantings around the pool area. The lush palms protect the street from view and continue the large, bold tropical plant motif throughout the landscape. 

  • Seasonal/Holiday Styling

    Of course, continuing our pink and green color scheme seemed like an organic segue for holiday styling. I layered a massive cluster of pink poinsettias to greet guests and onlookers from the street and create a tremendously festive display. Swag garland, fresh wreaths, and large bows of pink ribbon were a fresh take on a classic, bold Holiday look.
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