Clay, Rocks, Full Sun, Steep Slope + Aging Gardener
emmasaunt
17 years ago
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Fledgeling_
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Pavers vs Stained Concrete or something else?
Comments (98)That area is phase I of our landscaping, which Triple Sixteen also designed and installed. In the curve of the arch will be bubbling basalt columns. Beyond is currently a base of 5/8th crushed gravel which will be Montana slate leading to the sunniest part of the back yard and will have a couple of steamer chairs for sunning and low curved stacked stone wall behind. We needed them to bring in the topsoil and rock and get the landscape design past the review board. We (husband and I) will plant (mostly native) this spring and fall. I am a landscape designer with my own small business since 1996, but because I am not an "architect" I could not design our own yard (per the restrictions of the Design Review Board). It's all good, now we get to do the fun part!...See MoreTearing out awful juniper and replacing with low maintenance bed...
Comments (25)Wanderbug - Yes, surprisingly little blackberry in general. The grass from front walk to junipers (love the VW comment!) is 10'. Your photos are handsome so will keep them in mind for the future. Suspect they will first be concentrating on creating a "lounging" space in the back and just try to get planting areas in front figured out for now. The new patio in backyard will be 20' by 27' approx., centering on the window in back which is kitchen eating area inside. Don't know they've given much thought to WHAT to do in design of it. They were able to include a new patio in their financing since the existing patio, after 50 years, was slightly sinking toward the house. The new patio will be a cement product...perhaps just laid in a large squares pattern. Such a large area has to have "segments"...don't know what that would be called...joints? Just enough pattern to keep it from cracking but not enough get into realm of "fancy" or expensive. What do people think? Plain brushed cement or aggregate? Not sure what the style is now when one is doing contemporary patios. I suggested down the road they could eventually do some rectangular, raised planters (could clad them in horizontal, stained slats), maybe incorporating some clean-lined benches (daughter-in-law has mentioned she likes that look) thus tying the back in with any privacy fencing they might put in near front door. Plants in pots will have to do for time being on new back patio. When we rent the trencher for the sprinkler system, we'll be laying in a French drain at the base of the ivy slope in back to help divert water from the house to the sides of the property. Any hints on constructing French drains? The drain pipes on the back of the house were missing! So once those get repaired and some additional drainage put in, I think the water won't be such an issue. The house is located right between a "moderate" to "low" earthquake hazard area so that's hopeful. I purposefully steered them away from houses built in what I call "jello" areas. We also suggested they run a pipe under the new patio as a holding space out toward the ivy slope in case they eventually want to have a gas BBQ or fireplace out there. The Douglas Firs begin immediately at the property line and fill the neighbors property of about 1/2 acre so the needles are definitely acidifying the soil. But, except in tight-squeeze suburbia where all trees have been removed to provide a blank slate, it's hard to get away from their effect here in NW, as you know. But it keeps the rhoddies, azaleas, etc. happy so you just have to amend for other items. Both front and back lawns have quite a bit of moss. Anyone know of a grass that does better in shade? We'll treat for the moss then thought we might over seed, adding a grass more shade tolerant...is there one? I know lawns are going out of style but for now and in the homeowners' stage of life, I think both expansive lawn areas are here to stay for a while. KatherineD - I've always torn out the blue violets that have sprouted in my yard...just seemed they had the potential to be such a nuisance. But now one has entered my yard that has a larger bloom and is more of a pink blossom...it looks like an actual plant rather than a weed with a tiny blossom. I can see how you like them - especially in that picture with the large drift of them. After the cement blocks to the side of the driveway and lava rock (ick!) at the bottom of the juniper bed get power-washed, I hope the creeping phlox (blue-ish lavender color) cascading over them will look good. Also thought some wooly thyme mixed in will add color at another time of the year. Thought we might come up with some dark red plants to mix in front juniper bed to tie lava rock in...maybe heuchera? Any thoughts of something low maintenance? Other than the blossoms that shoot up from huechera that eventually should be cut back, the foliage is low maintenance....See MoreDo you live on a slope?
Comments (29)SOSS Hardware, thanks for sharing! It gives me hope that our backyard terrace disaster may one day be as lovely as this. We have almost the same dimensions. When the contractor (a part timer who was never able to produce an outline or idea on paper...I don't recommend it!) began, his idea was a focal point recessed stairway. Well, the ascent was all wrong, requiring a much too tall dry stacked wall in order to accommodate the stair detail. But as of today, he's taken down the stairs you see here (3rd tear-out) & is rebuilding to look just as yours does here. An expensive lesson was just getting more & more costly. The advice on this site you will hear repeatedly is, "hire a professional for the plan." Trust me, it's there for a reason, & to ignore it is to empty your pockets!...See MoreLandscaping Design Ideas for a Sloped Area in Backyard
Comments (4)First, I would plant a tree for height. I would look at the salvia greggi for a semi-evergreen shrub that will give you lots of color, butterflies and fast growth. These also do well in drought. They come in white, salmon, red and yellow. The red are the dominant species and will spread their color onto the others over time. Lantana are great in drought as well. The purple creeping ones are amazing. The yellow grow in a mound. The Dallas Red grow like shrubbery. Japanese Boxwood winter gem are also good for evergreen color in the winter. Crape Myrtles are great for an abundance of color. These too are drought tolerant. The white grow super fast, yet there are dozens of color to look at. Remember to add interest with something tall, check labels for mature heights and plant tallest in back to shortest in front....See Moresage_lover
17 years agoIna Plassa_travis
17 years agosage_lover
17 years agoHawkeye_Belle
17 years agocreatrix
17 years agoSuzinthecountry
17 years agoflrlady
16 years agolaceyvail 6A, WV
16 years agobuyorsell888
16 years agobuyorsell888
16 years ago
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Ina Plassa_travis