A durable, meaningful design heals a devastated residential property bordering Acadia National Park and Somes Sound on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Comprehensive stormwater management strategies shape new landforms, resulting in elegant grading and thoughtful drainage solutions. Native plant colonies stabilize the site, regenerate habitat, and reveal wildlife patterns. Exquisitely crafted new masonry, built from an authentic palette of local reclaimed materials, gives the garden a unified, established feel. Lichen-encrusted stone retaining walls define edges, thresholds, and overlooks, and thick slabs of salvaged granite embedded in the earth provide gathering terraces and pathways. With balance restored, brilliant seasonal drama unfolds.
This photo has one question
mountainmole wrote:
Is this a mulch path? - What is the material used for this natural pathway? Is it a kind of mulch? Thanks! »
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC Hi there--this is actually pine duff from white pine trees in Maine. I have seen many gardens mulched with southern yellow pine, and I personally prefer the white pine because it is softer... The only issue is that it is tough to purchase. You almost need to have a local source. Sorry I cannot be of more help. I would do a quick search online to see what resources you can find. Good luck!
Alexandra Lauren Designs I thought this looked like white pine needles! I would love to do this to a garden path in Montana. Would it have any effect on the natural landscape to use something like this? How long would this last, and is it quite slippery? My path has a slight grade down, and I know pine needles can be sleek. Do they blow out of alignment quite easily? Or are they just as "fixed" as most mulch options?
Focal points. This scene includes multiple abundant ideas — and all play together beautifully to make me wish I could be transported here. There is a timeless feeling expressed in the simple palette of native stone and green vegetation. The lovely twig bench placed at the turn of the path is a hard-to-ignore interior focal point. Layered textures provide interest, even though this is a landscape with mostly foliage. Generous in its gifts, this garden beckons visitors to enter — and remain in its presence.
This is a really unusual idea which creates the look of a stream running alongside a path. The path has been dug out on one side to create a raised area and then back filled with large pebbles.