Faux rock waterfall and stream
Photo of a tropical water fountain landscape in Los Angeles.

u2014 ALE: Wayne Rain Garden Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association u2014 ALE: Wayne Rain Garden Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence winner Category: Residential Up to $15,000 Award Level: Gold Project Description: Our company was contracted by the client to provide a creative solution to an ongoing drainage problem. Their property is located within 30 feet of a local stream that collects storm water from the surrounding area. The nearby stream and high water table caused the lawn area at the side of their home to flood and to remain waterlogged for a few days after each storm. The client not only had difficulty growing plants in the existing conditions, but also had a problem with mosquitoes due to standing water. Our goal was to design a self-contained, naturalistic rain garden that slowed storm water runoff, allowed for percolation, and promoted infiltration while permitting excess clean water to enter the nearby stream with diminished force. As designed, the rain garden allows the earth to slowly and more naturally absorb excess storm water while filtering out toxins such as excess nitrogen and phosphorous which are frequently found in the landscape, therefore reducing the contaminants entering the stream. A percolation test was conducted with criteria of absorbing a one-inch rainstorm within four hours without overflow. The one-inch storm calculation included an existing downspout from the home, which would be piped into the rain garden to reduce roof runoff. The first test failed due to a deep layer of high clay-content soil. Excavation continued until a layer of sandy loam was reached, the percolation test was repeated, and a successful test result was achieved. Next, the entire rain garden basin was excavated to the sandy loam layer and the soil amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media. Geotextile fabric was placed to help reduce migration of the surface stone into the soil and allow for minimal maintenance. Gravel, river stone and small boulders were carefully placed to achieve the look of a natural streambed. A palette of mostly native plants with a few non-invasive ornamentals were chosen for their ability to survive in extreme conditions ranging from floods to drought and were placed according to their specific preferences. Wetland plants were chosen for the lowest portion of the rain garden as that area remains saturated for longer periods of time, with a Chionanthus virginicus as a focal point surrounded by irises and ferns at the lowest depth. Plants tolerant of drier conditions were chosen for the upper edges of the garden. The beautiful colors of Monarda, Ligularia, Eupatorium, Solidago, Chelone, and Rudbeckia were scattered within the upper edge, while movement and softness were incorporated by use of the graceful Nassella that lines the border. Finally, winter interest was provided with a backdrop of Cornus sericea. As built, this small rain garden creates tremendous impact by decreasing the amount of storm water runoff not only on our client's property, but also in the neighboring stream. It serves as a means of slowing the water and providing an area for infiltration back into the earth. The plants provide a habitat for birds, butterflies, and insects, working in harmony with nature and providing beautiful visual interest year-round. Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

Downers Grove Pond With Stream Next To A Flagstone Patio With Granite Cobble Fire Pit
Inspiration for a traditional stone pond in Chicago.

Living Room
Mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Miami with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Downers Grove Pond With Stream
Photo of a traditional pond in Chicago.

Foyer
Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor hallway design in Miami with white walls

Living Room
Example of a mid-sized transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Miami with white walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a concrete fireplace

Foyer
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor foyer remodel in Miami with white walls and a dark wood front door

completed operating feature
This is an example of a mid-sized rustic partial sun backyard formal garden in Denver.

Foyer
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional staircase remodel in Miami

Front Exterior
Example of a mid-sized transitional beige two-story concrete gable roof design in Miami with a tile roof

Front Exterior
Mid-sized transitional beige two-story concrete gable roof idea in Miami with a tile roof

Example of a mid-sized classic backyard stone patio fountain design in Cleveland with no cover

Pools in streams and creeks have shapes defined by the physics of the channel. Notice this pool has a curvature to the left and it prepares to flow over the next waterfall. Natural streams often have many more elements than rocks. Logs and large tree branches blend elegantly and tell the story of a real creek. What you do not see here is a preponderance of rocks and boulders. Rocks create an annoying hard edge to waters. This stream is designed to appear soft. Very often we design so the eye cannot even pick out the edge of the water. The result is a much more soothing natural image.

Front yard of this great Draper Utah home. Vanishing water stream in front yard with a rock slab bridge and steps.
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard concrete paver formal garden in Salt Lake City.

With this client who has been passionate about plants all his life, there was naturally a close collaboration and a lot of input from him. Upon closer inspection you'd find some very exceptional plants that are sort of experimental but "all worth the try" in Gordon's eyes. And he is right! I relished the opportunity to use Star Magnolia stellata, Redbud Cercis 'Avondale' and 'Silver Cloud', Arabian Lilac 'Grand Duke of Tuscany', Royal Bromeliad Vriesea imperialis, also many unusual bulbs such as Scilla. Besides structure providing shrubs and trees (Tecoma, existing Indian Hawthorne with beautiful structures, Sweet Pea Bush, Golden Breath of Heaven, Ilex, Ginkgo, Bronze Loquat etc.) you'll see here also my favorite perennials, succulents and grasses, all as low care and undemanding as well as low-water as possible, to keep the landscape colorful and interesting year round. One of the highlights of this garden are the dry stream beds, bird bath and garden bench that we added. Built originally by himself and his wife, the dry stream beds were overgrown, mostly hidden by plant debris, or half rolling down hill. We had fun selecting a mixed collection of colorful and richly textured boulders of various sizes over, and with the input from 7 team members: Gordon, me, the contractor, the supervisor and three workers, we re-created the stream beds, making sure that anchor stones on the sides were well embedded in the slope, and that stone shelves and “top dressing” with smaller pebbles would add to the visual interest. Now these beds form very pleasing architectural features that look like they have always been there. We were all surprised how quickly all plants adapted to the site and started growing and putting out bloom. Now the old birdbath, a traditional white thing with dove figurines resting on the scalloped bowl, looked out of place, and I suggested to replace it with a stone bowl. And that part of the garden just called for a bench under the Macademia nut tree, to observe the birds and contemplate the whole creation. Only stone would do, but not any stone! Gordon picked a Basalt boulder that was naturally bowl shaped. It’s so heavy that it took 8 men to heave it into place! The Basalt bench was not much lighter, and together they make a very inviting scene. This job should last for a while. Photographed by Emma Almendarez at http://www.emmatheodoraphotography.com/

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard gravel water fountain landscape in Vancouver.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard gravel water fountain landscape in Vancouver.

Design ideas for a mid-sized tropical partial sun front yard stone formal garden in Toronto.