Project Background

My clients for the project featured, in preparation for retirement, were doing some “last minute” home improvement projects. The main focus was to be a side and rear garden design.

The lot of typical—located on a corner, measuring only 100’ x 150’. Three flowering crabapples, a tiny 10’ x 10’ concrete patio and a lawn of sorts represented the initial planting plan. The lot itself sloped from the northeast corner to the ‘tuck-under’ garage and driveway on the southwest side—a 14’ grade change within 74 linear feet. A pair of 24’ long concrete walls (4’ to 6’ high) loomed. Though functional and sound, their sheer size gave the feel of entering a bunker.

Challenges, Limitations and Opportunities

A priority was connecting a new four-season porch constructed on the east side of the house to the kitchen door—some 24’ to the west. Each entry was marked by a small concrete stoop, but there was no flow from one area to the other. An outdoor living space was clearly needed. My clients, not gardeners, required medium to low maintenance plants. As I surveyed and internalized the possibilities, it became clear: A water feature was needed as the central focus of the rear garden and the slope would naturally allow for a dramatic waterfall.

The Process

The design began to come together. Tucking the falls high into the northeast corner created a view of the falls from the road, for passing traffic to enjoy. The patio and deck areas were placed close to the house, allowing plenty of room to entertain with easy access to the kitchen and a new four-season porch. Privacy from the nearby road and adjoining yards was achieved by using a high cedar fence. 

The perimeter was tastefully planted with Populus tremuliodes (Quaking Aspen). Thuja occidentalis ‘Techny’ (Techny Arborvitae), ferns, hosta, grasses, and spring bulbs to create a naturalized setting. Calamogrostis ‘Karl Forester’ (feathered reed grass), Rudebeckia ‘Goldstrum’ (Black-eyed Susan) and Sedum 'Autumn Joy' wrap the patio and deck areas to achieve a woodsy feel.  Curving Chilton stone steps lead off the deck area and back to the garage/driveway which is the point of entrance to the backyard.  

Those ghastly concrete retaining walls were successfully disguised with a combination of plantings and fieldstone walls.  Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Rug' cascades over the walls.  Below, Picea densata 'Yukon Blue' (Yukon Blue Spruce), Abies koreana (Korean Fir), Rosa 'Nearly Wild', Hosta 'Francee' and Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (Dwarf Fountain Grass) serve to buffer the cold concrete.