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Hill Side Gardening
Dealing with steep slopes can be one of the hardest tasks when it comes to garden design. Mowing a lawn on a slope can be treacherous, and plant borders a real nightmare to weed.
The Challenge The original garden had no terracing and the slope of the lawn was proving too difficult to maintain. When the client slipped whilst using a mower they decided enough was enough – it was time for a rethink.
Designing the Garden We decided that a wall cut into the bank would not only look the part but also break up the large slope. We designed a patio with steps leading to an upper lawn area. However, since we did not want the client to negotiate steps with the lawn mower, a summerhouse was positioned at the top. This is used to store a mower and with power installed, there is no need for long extension cables running from the house.
The lay of the land lends itself to imaginative use of water, so a stream was included as one of the major features of the design.
We thought that an archway within the wall would look more interesting. Another archway at the top of the bank allows water to appear as if from nowhere, cascading over a rocky stream then reappearing from behind the main arch.
Construction When building the garden we were aware of the need for drainage. With large slopes, when it rains, you will experience run-off. We made sure there were drainage holes at the foot of the main wall, placed at four-foot intervals, to stop any build up of water behind.
The clients had very young grandchildren, so with safety in mind we decided to fill the pond at the bottom of the arch with rock. Anyone who wants a pond but has children can create a safe water feature in this way – as the children grow up, you can remove the rock and add more water, perhaps even a few fish.
Tips from the Design Team
- If you are considering cutting into a bank, before you finalize your plans have a test dig so you know what you will be cutting into. In this garden a rock face had to be cut through so hydraulic breakers were brought in. You may need to re-think your plans to achieve a sensible solution.
- Bear in mind that water will run off slopes very quickly, so be careful about plant selection. Plants that will tolerate drought conditions are best suited.
A Golden Pond
Deck Pond
Summer Deck
Hill Side
Historic
Pond Designs
Low Maintenance
From Scratch
Garden Window
Trellis