Robertson Residence – 2013 Landscape Ontario: Award of Excellence

Robertson Residence – 2013

Landscape Ontario: Award of Excellence

Our client had an existing, very sloped lawn and driveway. She wanted a separate access route from sidewalk, one that was less steep and slippery when wet or icy during the winter months. Another requirement was for a clean, uncluttered, manicured, low maintenance garden area.

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All these items were accomplished through the creation of a separate staircase with various levels of planting beds, some at grade and some in raised planting beds.  The retaining walls were made from poured in place concrete, with a wet-laid Owen Sound ledgerock veneer and a sandstone coping.  These walls matched beautifully with the Owen Sound wet-laid, sawcut flagstone walkways, with matching staircase treads of the sandstone coping.

The driveway was redone with an oversize precast concrete paver border and walkway, that minimized the amount of the asphalt required and the apparent size of the driveway area and focused attention on the staircase and gardens.  As well as the central staircase, there is access to the upper staircase and front door from the driveway itself.

Simple plantings were contained within the retaining walls. They were selected to maximize color throughout the seasons and add winter interest. In ground irrigation also minimizes the amount of work required to water the site. The careful selection of plants created gardens with big impact and little maintenance required.

The clean lines of this design, classic materials and the highest quality workmanship all serve to create an easily maintained and functional project that is a wonderful, exquisite little front yard.