Falling Rock Terrace

Steve and Toni Springer The Springer Family in Germany

13 years ago

We just recently bought a house in Germany and are at a loss at how to develop, landscape or ??? the back and upper area of our yard. The house was built into the side of a mountain, we've had 4 different landscape agencies come and look. We were hoping they could give us ideas and estimates but all have said that there is nothing to do other than maintain it. We would like to have an upper terrace area and possibly some more structure to the lower rock area. Looking for advice, suggestions. Thanks so much!

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Comments (5)

Calvin Simons
13 years ago
If there are pits inside the rock you can plant some green mountain grass. If not, drill some big holes in it and plant green mountain grass in that. I either dont know how to solve this.
Steve and Toni Springer The Springer Family in Germany
Original Author
13 years ago
That's a great idea, except the rock walls are a mixture of slate and marble. With the winter's snow, it wears away and falls. One contractor recommended covering the areas with netting, like they use on the highways but that wouldn't be very attractive. We're stationed here so eventually we will sell and return home to the states and would like the entire garden area landscaped to help with the resale.
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rinked
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
You could drill holes in them to add pins in there. Make/buy some faux stone pots and place them over the pins (you can store the more sensitive plants in a shed in winters, like I do in the Netherlands).

Some wires from bottom to top with climbers on it should give a nice green look too. But please make sure there's enough drainage at the bottom or your climbers will soak too much.

And how about an upper terrace in wood?
PRO
Jana Bryan
13 years ago
The stairs look like cast concrete. Could you cast some walls to retain soil? They don't need to be very tall (and shouldn't be or else they will be overwhelming) to retain enough for small plantings, maybe even a ground cover that would drape over.... The walls would probably need to be pinned to the ledge and built with weep holes and proper drainage. The space definitely needs more green. Best of Luck!
PRO
ASVInteriors
13 years ago
Or how about a perfect alpine meadow? Creeping thyme is easy to stuff in the rocks, as are hens and chicks, and other sedums - they are pretty tough and hardwearing. Soon you will be covered with greenery...
Also spread some yogurt over the rocks to encourage mosses and lichens to grow.
Then for fun you can drill some holes into the rock and "plant" some plastic red rods for contrast! (even better if they are solar lights within)