Level Outdoor Living with Retaining Walls and Firepit

by Laurie Knechtel | Nov 16, 2021

Level Outdoor Living with Retaining Walls and Firepit

level grade backyard armour stone retaining wall firepit patio stone stairs natural landscaping low maintenance Budget Range: $60,000+
Location: Stratford, Ontario

This property was steeply graded toward a natural area beyond the fenceline, making it difficult to enjoy the yard and beautiful surroundings. The homeowners wanted to level off the entire area, just steps down from a pool that had been added previously.

We raised the back edge of the yard to eliminate the slope, containing the substantial amounts of soil with an armour stone retaining wall. Much of the new flat yard was sodded, but we did add a stone firepit and surrounded it with armour stone seating.

Trees were planted in select peripheral areas to add visual interest and privacy, and also to blend into the adjacent natural area. Finally, low-maintenance river rock was added at the base of the rear retaining wall to eliminate the need for grass cutting, which would have proven difficult in the confined space.

This project included the following elements:

Terraced Backyard
Fire Pit
Privacy Planting
Retaining Wall
Low-Maintenance Hardscaping
Armour Stone
River Rock
Beech Trees
Permacon Products

Terraced back yard
Fire pit
Privacy Planting

Low-Maintenance Hardscaping
Armour Stone
River Rock

Beech Trees
Retaining Wall
Permacon Products

level grade backyard armour stone retaining wall firepit patio stone stairs natural landscaping low maintenance

Backyard Oasis with Curb Appeal Out Front

by Laurie Knechtel | May 20, 2021

Backyard Oasis and Enhanced Curb Appeal

Backyard Oasis ornamental grasses perennials pool natural armour stone Budget Range: $10,000-$15,000
Location: Stratford, Ontario

The owners of this lovely home wanted to improve curb appeal with natural stone to contrast the concrete walk.

We added lots of colourful, low-growing perennials that add loads of visual appeal without obscuring the view from windows. A small flowerbed close to the sidewalk disguises unsightful utility boxes.

Pool gardens blend in with natural area beyond fence. Dry riverbed beside shed to carries surface water through garden without use of drain tile.

This project included the following elements:

Natural stone retainers
Low-maintenance gardens
Ornamental grassess
Low-profile shrubs
Armour stone
Raised planters
Natural privacy

Natural stone retainers
Low-maintenance gardens
Ornamental grassess

Perennials
Low-profile shrubs
Armour stone

Raised planters
Natural privacy

backyard oasis Visual impact adds value to your home lush gardens around pool

Porcupine Grass ornamental pool hot tub perennials natural landscaping native plants

Backyard oasis with pool and lush perennials

add curb appeal landscaping perennials shrubs ornamental grass flowers

iincrease curb appeal ornamental grass armoour stone shrubs perennials

Visual impact adds value to your home lush gardens around pool

Formal Linear Garden Increases Curb Appeal

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Oct 29, 2020

Formal Linear Garden Increases Curb Appeal

native flowers hydrangea stratford ontario Formal garden Linear style Pondless stream Curb appeal; Postage stamp garden Permacon Melville Pavers Project Year: 2008
Location: Stratford, Ontario

A linear, formal garden resplendent with plants and flowers, many native, wraps around the century home’s front porch. A wide pathway composed with Permacon Melville pavers enhances the grand front entrance.

The small back yard now has a serene, pondless stream surrounded by natural stone. A small, lush corner garden includes a flagstone path.

This project included the following elements:

Formal garden
Linear style
Pondless stream
Enhanced curb appeal
Postage stamp garden
Permacon Melville pavers
Designed by Jane Eligh-Feryn

Formal garden
Linear style
Pondless stream

Enhanced curb appeal
Postage stamp garden
Flagstone stepping stones

Permacon Melville pavers
Designed by Jane Eligh-Feryn

native flowers hydrangea stratford ontario Formal garden Linear style Pondless stream Curb appeal; Postage stamp garden Permacon Melville Pavers

Stone Walkway & Raised Flowerbeds Increase Curb Appeal

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jul 2, 2020

Stone Walkway & Raised Flower Beds Increase Curb Appeal

curb appeal raised flower beds gardens natural stone curved walkway pavers retaining walls perennials shrubs Project Year:
Budget Range: $
Location: Stratford, Ontario

Our client wanted to improve the curb appeal of their corner property. But because corner lots are generally exposed to neighbourhood traffic on two sides, they also wanted to add beautiful and effective privacy measures.

The goal was to create a backyard oasis including a sitting space whose privacy could be achieved without having to use a solid fence line. The client also wanted to experience the soothing sounds of a waterfall without the maintenance of a pond.

We added a raised flower bed with armour stone retaining wall with a stepping stone walkway alongside and a variety of trees, shrubs and plants to soften the overall appearance.

The new raised stone patio surrounds the home and adds more seating space that’s made private using sections of fence panels and shrubs along the side of the property. And the oasis was completed with a gurgling, pondless waterfall that can be heard from the patio.

The home’s appearance has been improved on all sides, but the view from the street has now been obscured, significantly increasing privacy and enjoyment of the homeowner’s backyard.

This project included the following elements:

Celtik Wall (Permacon)
Rosebel Slabs (Permacon)
Pondless waterfall
Armour stone
Terraced flower bed
Raised patio
Privacy for corner lot
Waterfall
Stepping stones

Celtik Wall (Permacon)
Rosebel slabs (Permacon)
Pondless waterfall

Armour Stone
Terraced flower bed
Raised patio

Privacy for corner lot
Waterfall
Stepping stones

curb appeal raised flower beds gardens natural stone curved walkway pavers retaining walls perennials shrubs

raised flower beds gardens natural stone curved walkway pavers retaining walls perennials shrubs

Adding Audio & Visual Interest with a Pondless Stream

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jun 27, 2020

Adding Audio & Visual Interest with a Pondless Stream

Pondless waterfall, natural stone and garden Installation Project Year: 2016
Budget Range: $10,000-$15,000
Location: Stratford, Ontario

Our customer wanted to add a small garden near their garden shed to reduce lawn maintenance and increase visual interest along their back fence line.

We incorporated a low-maintenance water feature – a pondless stream comprised of natural stone – to add soothing sound and enhance visual interest.

The long, curved garden includes small trees (Sumac and False Cypress), low shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials (Coral Bells), and is partially bordered by natural armour stone to compliment the water feature.

This project included the following elements: