Walls
Stone walls are built in two basic forms: freestanding and retaining. Freestanding walls are self-supporting , open on both sides and can be built on flat or sloping ground. Retaining walls are open only on the front side: the other side is buried since it holds back soil, creating a raised, level area in otherwise sloping land. Retaining walls are associated with hilly, rolling terrain, where their work is required.
Stone walls can be designed with aesthetic value as well as practical. Freestanding walls can lend a natural background for a mixed perennial border and at the same time separate and define functions of areas: the formal garden from the informal, the lawn from the street and the patio from the field. Or it can lead along a walkway to the front door and separate public space from private. Terraces can be created from retaining walls holding back slopes and create useful living spaces such as patios or courtyards while at the same time providing beautiful views of level gardens and steps formally holding back the daunting bank at the back or side of a house. The marriage of walls with landscape solves many practical problems while also providing shape, form and direction.
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- Boulder WallOne to two foot slopes can be retained with large boulders. The look is less formal and adds contrast to formal pavement materials.
- Curved Retaining Stone WallJust installed to hold back the upper lawn area and border the new woodland path.
- Retaining Wall with PillarsWalking up a wide bluestone treaded staircase defined by a set of grand capped pillars implies you are being formally guided to an important entrance, usually the front door.
- Seating Wall with Stone CapFlat stone wall set at sitting height to maximize space for entertaining. Walls have built in atmospheric lighting.
- Seating Wall with LightingThis view shows the lights and the lattice wall designed to screen the views of the parked cars.
- Seating Wall pathway entranceThe seating wall was built in two pieces to leave way for the path to the garden. The opening was set off to the side so the garden could be accessed without moving the dining furniture.
- Terraced Retaining WallsThis patio was set on a steep slope. The terraces were built for an accompanying BBQ patio and two small garden spaces.
- Planted retaining wall
- Retaining wall with railing
- Retaining Wall & Gravel PadThis small wall was an affordable way for the homeowner to open up her back yard so she could have a small area for a sitting area.
- Patio with Sitting WallsGiven this space is smaller than it looks, seating walls were used to increase guest seating capacity. The blue stone caps were custom sized to fit the scale of the patio.
- Patio with Sitting Walls (Additional View)Seating walls enclose the patio allowing for a more intimate experience.
- Retaining Tree WellA back yard with a slight slope was graded for two levels. In order to save the central birch tree the stone on site was recycled and used to build this small tree well.
- Terrace Wall Cut OutAdding design details to walls breaks up the monotony of a long retaining wall. An arch was created within this terrace wall allowing for a specimen tree to be planted as a focal point for the patio guests.
- Terrace Retaining Walls Early SpringRetaining the steep slope with terraces allows for a patio garden to be enjoyed by residents and guests. Early spring brings daffodils and creeping phlox to life.
- Terrace Walls underplanted with Spring BulbsBulbs and other plants are always featured well when back-dropped by a stone wall.
- Terrace Wall Late SpringThis terrace wall is planted for 4 season interest. Daffodils in the early spring, tulips come in late mid-late spring. There are a couple of weeks when the daffodils are passing and the tulips are opening. And then come the daylillies.
- Terrace Retaining Walls Late Spring (Close-Up View)
- Terrace Walls SummerAfter the daffodils and tulips pass the daylillies open. There are phlox, barren strawberry, peonies, azaleas, deutzia, and annuals planted throughout the terraces.
- Terrace wall terminusWhere walls end it's always nice to soften the edges with plants for a gradual transition from wall to garden.
- Terrace wall terminusWhere walls end it's always nice to soften the edges with plants for a gradual transition from wall to garden.
- Terrace Wall Rose GardenCascading plants over stone walls is a classic way to romanticize a garden.
- Double Faced WallThis two sided wall serves as a boundary for the property it surrounds. It acts as a back-drop for perennial borders on both sides of the wall as well as adds enclosure for the residents.
- Curved Retaining Wall post plantingThe wall was under-planted with Solomon's Seal and annuals and lined with small rocks found while gardening.
- Fence-topped WallCottage garden with a back drop of quaint 18" wall married to a small white picket fence.
- Seating Wall with Stone CapFlat stone wall set at sitting height to maximize space for entertaining. Walls have built in atmospheric lighting.
- Retaining Wall and RailingThis retaining wall separates the lower parking areas from the upper parking areas. The wall is topped with a custom wrought iron railing for decoration and backdrop to the rose garden.
- Terrace Retaining Walls Early SpringRetaining the steep slope with terraces allows for a patio garden to be enjoyed by residents and guests. Early spring brings daffodils and creeping phlox to life.
- Terrace Walls (Above View)The terrace garden can be viewed from the upper lawn level. White azaleas and deutzia create a purple and white color theme in mid-spring.
- Terrace Retaining Walls Late SpringBursts of pinks amongst the purples and whites strengthen the long stretch of walls in this design.
- Terrace Walls Summer close-upHere is a close-up of the daylillies which wouldn't be half as pretty without the staging of the stone walls.
- Decorative wallsLow retaining walls can be decorative and also be used to lengthen long lines in the garden and give guests a sense of direction.
- Sitting WallLining a parking area, this seating wall is used while enjoying driveway basketball games.
- Double Faced Wall (Double Sided View)The wall acts as a decorative stone layer between plant rows with the tall plants behind the wall being seen from sidewalk pedestrians as peeking over.
- Double Faced Wall (Double Sided View)The wall acts as a decorative stone layer between plant rows with the tall plants behind the wall being seen from sidewalk pedestrians as peeking over.
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