Pro Project Unique Environmental Landscapes

Wide appeal in narrow space

Project by Unique Environmental Landscapes

GALA

AWARD WINNER:

Grand

Before

Before

Before

A very small concrete back patio beneath the deck with the rest of the yard sloping away or uphill made it unusable space. There was a 2 ½ foot drop from the existing upper patio to the lower backyard.

This small in-town yard (a little over 2000 ft.) did nothing for the homeowner as far as usability and entertainment.

The backyard and side yard are both very narrow, with about 14 feet from the foundation of the house to the property line. Maximizing the space and creating an entertainment area was the overall objective of this project, which meant incorporating a small fireplace and grill area as requested by the homeowner.

The water feature was reincorporated and radius steps now flow off the back patio onto the lower space. A small fire pit was added in the back corner. We adjusted for the grade changes and pulled the spaces together.

Before

Planting areas were minimal and screening was a very big concern, so we used Green Giant arborvitae, Emerald Green arborvitae, and pure middle European hornbeams to screen the adjacent home. Radius steps from the upper patio underneath the deck created a dining area that flowed out onto the lower patio. A small sitting area up at the top looked down at the small fireplace, creating multiple areas to sit and enjoy this now-usable backyard area. We incorporated their existing water fountain into the patio space to create a focal point when looking down from the area beneath the deck, where a dining table is positioned. Lighting was also an important element to make the space usable at night. The radius steps have lights incorporated into the step treads, along with accent lighting to further increase visibility at night. Drip irrigation NP rotors were used to maximize irrigation coverage and minimize the waste of water when operating the system. The pathway leading to the lower yard where the homeowner has positioned multiple birdfeeders was also an important element. The side yard backs up to a green space, so they wanted to invite the birds into the area throughout the year. The lower yard stays somewhat damp, so edgeworthia, alongside other natural plants, were used to create the transition between the two spaces. The homeowner also wanted to incorporate a ginkgo biloba ‘Magyar’ that was positioned in an area where it can grow and not interfere long-term with the maturing landscape. At the end of the project, the homeowner commented that we “exceeded his expectations of the usability of space.” Pathway leads to birdfeeders in lower yard.