Jay Sifford
82 Reviews

Artificial Swamp/Pollinator-friendly Garden

This project was created for a veterinarian and her educator husband who wanted a wildlife friendly habitat in their suburban backyard. We designed and built a yatsuhashi-inspired boardwalk and deck that cantilevers out over a shallow artificial swamp that was created to breed amphibians. Native and pollinator-friendly plants complete the vignette.
Project Year: 2016
Project Cost: $25,001 - $50,000
Country: United States
Entering the area from the top of the hill, the wildlife habitat and yatsuhashi-inspired deck make a statement. Newly installed 9/16.Photo by Jay Sifford.
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
This was previously a weedy opening in a forest, located at the back of a suburban backyard. The homeowners, a veterinarian and a teacher, wanted to create a habitat that encouraged the presence of song birds, amphibians and reptiles. We built a shallow 'artificial swamp' along with a...
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
This yatsuhashi-inspired boardwalk and deck cantilevers over the "artificial swamp" that was built for amphibian habitat. 'Blue Bunny' carex, planted on both sides of the boardwalk creates the feeling that the deck is floating. Newly installed 9/16
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
The steep slope that separates the existing pond from this area needed to become a focal point and needed to limit erosion. We planted a matrix, or tapestry, of ornamental grasses and shrubs. Newly installed 9/16.
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
Looking through the 'Karley Rose' pennisetum, the visitor sees the swamp, partially covered in water lettuce which the client provided. Newly installed 9/16.
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
Large wax myrtles were added for song bird habitat and to provide screening of the neighboring home. This photo is taken looking back toward the boardwalk. Newly installed 9/16. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
The boardwalk and deck are cantilevered over the shallow water of the artificial swamp. Newly installed 9/16. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden
The yatsuhashi-inspired boardwalk is flanked on both sides by 'Blue Bunny' carex, which gives the deck the feeling of floating. Newly installed 9/16. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Artificial swamp/pollinator-friendly garden