A few weeks after all of the visitors left my summer garden, construction began. The house and deck got a new coat of stain, a job delayed from the spring because of wet weather. Then the garden walls came tumbling down. When we m
oved here, terraces led down the hill supported by thick wooden ties. I was happy to have level spaces to plant but over the years, the wood rotted away, leaving only rusty metal spikes and crumbling wood on the hillside, as you can see in this
photo. It was too dangerous to even step in the beds! Fortunately, by June the plants had filled out and covered the bad bits during my garden tours this summer, but I was ready to have my vision of curving stacked stone walls put into place.
It broke my heart to dig up the hillside in early September so that work could begin – this was a favorite spot for birds and insect pollinators and the Rudbeckia were in full bloom. My friend and colleague Bill Lucki of Natural Garden Design agreed to tear out the rotting wood ties and replace them with stacked stone walls, so I set to work moving plants to make way for the construction project.
Ten days after construction began, the walls were complete and ready for re-planting; Bill and Ron did a fabulous job!
Other parts of the garden continued to bloom and thrive during this process, and as I began to replant the hillside, it started to settle in and look as if it was always there.
While the weather holds, I continue to plant and dream of next year’s bloom among the handsome stone walls.
“To dream a garden and then to plant it is an act of independence and even defiance to the greater world.” ― Stanley Crawford
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A wonderful addition to an already wonderful garden. Love the colors of the season (although I’m late). … On a side note, thanks for your eloquence today … and others responded to you (in thanks).
Thanks for stopping by, Frank, always great to have you here and always great to visit your blog. Civil and interesting discourse is a rare and valuable commodity these days 😊
Absolutely agree … and all the comments on my post today were just that!
What a project! And so gratifying, I imagine to see it come together, and to work with people who are collaborative. As someone said above, the design (and rocks) are perfect – height, curves, etc. Fits right in and so much better than the old ties. They did you a favor by rotting! 😉
Lynn, I was lucky to be able to work within the footprint and connect it to the rest of the garden design. As far as the favor from the old ties, I laughed out loud at your comment, but really, that is the fate of all wooden ties in the ground. They rot, they fall apart, and then they have to be removed. Stone will hopefully prove to be not only beautiful but long lasting.
Hi Lynn… did this happen when I was away? I think so! anyway the rock walls are wonderful; I love the choice of rough stone that is hand laid; looks Irish to me. Totally fits the landscape, and I think that’s a lot harder than it looks after the fact. I mean, the curves; the height of the walls and so forth are harmonic and natural looking. I’ll get over to see it if I have not yet … I was just here 2 weeks between trips… Doug
Doug, you will appreciate it even more in person. They did an amazing job, real craftsmen with the stone. They followed my design, adjusting as needed to take advantage of the stability of the hillside, so it was a collaborative process which was great fun. The curves echo the circles in the lower garden – I’m delighted with the results!
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Lovely job of work on the walls, and you have lost no time in beautifying that area again.
I am embroiled in a similar process, but as mine is totally DIY it isn’t going anything like as quickly or smoothly.
Colonialist, I used to do this kind of project myself but now I hire the heavy lifters 🙂
Wise. At 76, maybe I should do the same. Mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow today was a bit of a chore!
That was quite the project! Phew!
I am sure you will make it looks just beautiful for next year’s blooms.
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bobbie brooks Distinctivegardendesigns.com
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Great to hear from you Bobbie! I was glad not to be the one moving the stones – it was hard enough to move hundreds of plants 🙂
I’m sure those walls will blend in seamlessly when the spring bloom graces your garden, Lynn.
Yes, Kerry, that’s the hope 🙂
The walls look as though all the work will prove to be well worthwhile.
I’m hoping so, Tootlepedal – I just finished planting everything today except the spring bulbs. Everything I planted last month has settled in and looks healthy and vibrant – I look forward to the visual feast next year 🙂
Looks beautiful, Lynn; are you looking forward to spring and all the beauty these new bones will support? Gorgeous!
Oh yes, Kitty! I have spring bulbs arriving this week and am finishing planting shrubs today. Can’t wait to see it in spring!
Necessary, but nerve-wracking, I imagine, Lynn. It looks wonderful!
Exhausting too, Eliza – a lot of digging before and after!
Luckily for you and the Japanese maple, it didn’t have to be moved!
That was the great thing about working with this firm; they were willing and able to work around the maple and a few other shrubs. I don’t think the maple would have survived a move; as it was, I watered it frequently so keep its roots happy during all of the digging and compacting of soil nearby.