Can Retaining Walls Be Beautiful -- As Well As Functional?
Unsightly retaining walls can be avoided by using elements such as plants and boulders to hold back soil and to keep back the grade. Deck and Patio’s outdoor living expert, Bill Renter, has also found that regular manmade retaining walls often require an engineer’s plan in order to get approval from local municipalities. However, when boulders and plants are used, such approval usually isn’t required -- saving time and money.
First photo: Renter practices what he preaches. His own front yard looks like a fairytale scene straight from an enchanted forest, with waterfall and stream -- yet all that beauty is holding back the grade.
Second Photo: For this project, he and his team created a whole series of streams, with waterfalls, dropping down the hill, ending in a maintenance-free pondless reservoir.
Third Photo: Here bright rich plantings, moss rock and boulders, multiple waterfalls support a 20-foot slope and end in a tranquil koi pond.
Fourth Photo: Waterfall, bright plants, mingling with natural stone boulders, along with new freeform pool, not only suggest natural South Sea lagoon, but, together, they firmly support the slope.
More photos/info: http://www.deckandpatio.com/DP_Blog/?p=2482
First photo: Renter practices what he preaches. His own front yard looks like a fairytale scene straight from an enchanted forest, with waterfall and stream -- yet all that beauty is holding back the grade.
Second Photo: For this project, he and his team created a whole series of streams, with waterfalls, dropping down the hill, ending in a maintenance-free pondless reservoir.
Third Photo: Here bright rich plantings, moss rock and boulders, multiple waterfalls support a 20-foot slope and end in a tranquil koi pond.
Fourth Photo: Waterfall, bright plants, mingling with natural stone boulders, along with new freeform pool, not only suggest natural South Sea lagoon, but, together, they firmly support the slope.
More photos/info: http://www.deckandpatio.com/DP_Blog/?p=2482
Backyard Stream and Waterfall: Bill Renter used moss rock boulders to support his front yard’s two waterfalls: one close to new bench; the other at the end of 85-foot stream.
Pondless Reservoir Supports Stream/Pond/Waterfalls: Waterfalls and stream flow down into “pondless reservoir” with pump that pushes water back up 40-foot hill to recirculate.
Ideally Situated Pond: The finished pond is located next to a new patio; the family can sit on lounge chairs, in between the pond and pool and be completely surrounded by water.
Beautiful Retaining Wall: Bright huge bursts of colored plantings, moss rock and boulders from Pennsylvania, as well as pool’s edge, firmly hold back slope.
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Love the beautiful garden in the top photo. I note several elements from Monet's garden at Giverny- the arching bridge, weeping willows, the Japanese bench and in the lower pond -water lilies! BUT to save you some time, $$$, and frustration I will point out that if you really want lots of foliage and blooms on your water lilies you need SLOW, GENTLY moving or still water for water lilies!! The vigorous waterfall will minimize the area of the pond where the lilies can thrive. Monet's ponds are formed from a dammed up slow moving creek, with almost imperceptible flow of water. Decide what you want to emphasize in each section of your water features and focus on that one or two *cooperating* or *complimentary* elements in each section. Any designer who recommends *shooting the works* in one small feature like this is not working for long term success on all of your investment!
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