Many landscapes don’t need a complete overhaul, and many homeowners just don’t desire one. A Carmel couple asked us to make some simple changes that would add another feature and a touch of beauty to their backyard landscape.

Our clients had an existing screened-in porch and a deck, but they wanted to add a fire pit to enjoy relaxing evenings outside around a warm blaze. They also lacked the privacy they desired. We were brought in to build a patio, spruce up their landscaping with colorful, low-maintenance perennials, and provide more tree cover for the yard.

The patio included the fire pit that the homeowners’ desired, with a gas line so they can turn it on and off at their convenience. We connected the patio to the deck with a path made of large, flat, beige stones that matched the earth-toned patio. Steps were added to the deck to make the transition from deck to path seamless.

Growing next to the deck was an ancient, picturesque Redbud tree that our clients loved and wanted to feature in their landscape. We built the stone deck steps underneath the tree to bring attention to it, and carefully pruned its branches to make the path accessible. Adding hostas around its base and strategically placing accent sandstone boulders centered the Redbud tree as the focal point of the yard, framing its natural beauty.

To give our clients some privacy, we planted dark green Techny Arborvitae along their back property line. These trees will grow to about 8 feet wide and 15 feet tall. We also planted new beds around the path, patio and new trees to add more interest and texture to their yard. Our clients wanted much more color in their landscape, especially in the summer, so we chose low-maintenance perennials that would provide different hues year-round. Among our choices were Knockout roses, the flowering Goldmound Spirea shrub and Shasta daisies. We also included serviceberry trees that flower in spring, produce colorful berries in summer, burst brilliantly in fall, and show a lovely silver-grey bark in winter. These plants enhance the yard’s interest as its own outdoor space.

Finally, we installed outdoor lighting for nighttime use between the porch and patio. The backyard is a much more usable space now, and our clients were pleased that our design addressed exactly what they wanted. Questions about this project? Send us an email or give us a call at (317) 997-4803.