Cultivating BEAUTY

What happens when an artist and a fashion designer dive into gardening? A landscape that’s as thoughtfully composed as a painting.

- MIRANDA CROWELL

At their cut flower and vegetable garden in the Berkshires, the owners built a cottage that serves as both tool storage and hangout spot. Its profile harmonizes with the historic outbuildings on the property, while its dark paint (Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green) dramatically contrasts with the flowerfilled landscape and rustic pergolas crafted of local black locust.

For a handful of days throughout winter, Frank Muytjens sets his alarm to catch the new dahlia releases from his favorite online shops. “There’s such a huge demand for certain dahlias, you have to click the second you see the one you want,” he says. “It’s like getting Taylor Swift tickets,” adds his partner, Scott Edward Cole.

In the middle of the garden, a small antique French bistro set with chipped yellow paint, opposite, lends a sense of character and provides a spot for enjoying a drink. Frank Muytjens (standing) and Scott Edward Cole, above, start much of their garden from seed with grow lights in their basement. They overwinter their dahlia tubers, supplementing with a few new varieties each year.