At Eagleson Landscape Company, we are fortunate to have many clients with grand visions for their landscapes. Those projects allow us to test our creativity, planning and knowledge over a large space. A few years ago we completed the lake-facing portion of our clients’ outdoor space, taking a steep hill and making it a place to relax and entertain. The next step was to create better access from the front of the house to that fabulous space along the water.
The existing pathway from the driveway to the backyard consisted of old timber sidewalks, retaining walls and steps. Unfortunately, the timbers had deteriorated since we completed the first phase of the project. Our clients loved the stone steps we had installed for the backyard and they wanted to continue that look to unify the two spaces. While the 6ft x 6ft retaining wall needed to be replaced, we wanted to create more walking and enjoying space in the area too. The timbers were there to hold up the same steep slope we had managed in the original project. Just like we did in the first phase, we altered the existing soil and grading to offer more usable space. We ended up taking out both sides of the wall, cut back the slope, and adding back 3 feet of timber while mixing in boulders to complete the wall. The hard edges of the wood were softened by the rocks and plantings, creating a more natural feel. The simple, shade-tolerant plants included hosta, lenten rose (which lifted, saved and replanted) and Coral Bell.
If you follow our blog, you know how much we love working with boulders. You can read more about the artistry of using rock in landscape design here. The sandstone pieces we found for this project offered some fun design options. One formation ended up turning into a natural lounge chair complete with a beverage holder due to its shape. Another formation included a flat rock that we placed at the top of the space along with a footrest, turning it into the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the view and take pics of the grandkids!
There are a lot more aspects to a usable landscape than rocks, pathways and plants. Our clients were having drainage issues with the steep slope, so we regraded a portion of their driveway area. We also had to redesign and install their landscape lighting to support the new pathway, recreate a section of their concrete walkway in pavers for a better transition to the new space, and replace a rotting post supporting the upper staircase. We pride ourselves on being able to offer complete landscape design to our clients, addressing all aspects of the project so at the end they have a finished space they love.
Whether your landscape design project is large or small, we would appreciate the opportunity to help you achieve your vision. Tell us more about your project by clicking here or call us at (317) 997-4803.
