Adding Low-Maintenance, Colourful Gardens Around Pool

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jul 24, 2019

Adding Low-Maintenance, Colourful Gardens Around Pool

Adding a low-maintenance but colourful garden to pool area Project Year: 2012
Budget Range: < $5,000
Location: Stratford, Ontario

Our client wanted to add lots of colour to pool area. However they also wanted low-maintenance landscaping.

As such, we added added large, natural stone (supplied by the customer). In addition we planted lots of perennials in different sizes and shapes and with different peak blooming times so that there are different items of visual interest at different times throughout the season.

Perennials used include ornamental grasses, Coral Bells (Heuchera), and Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera).

Adding a low-maintenance but colourful garden to pool area

Adding Privacy & Visual Interest to Corner Lot

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jun 10, 2019

Adding Privacy to a Corner Lot Backyard Oasis

Raised flower bed with perennial flowers, shrubs and trees Project Year: 2018
Budget Range: $50,000+
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

Small backyard of home on corner lot - no privacy and no curb appeal

Side of home with basic pebbled concrete walkway

Beautiful home on corner lot needs curb appeal and privacy

Home on corner lot with no privacy in side or back yard

Before - small covered patio and no landscaping

Raised stone patio - part of private backyard oasis

Flower beds surround corner lot home for enhanced curb appeal

Adding private garden oasis to exposed corner lot with hardscaping and softscaping

Raised stone patio with rounded stairs built into sloped grade

Side landscaped flower bed covered with stone to reduce maintenance

Hardscaping - rounded stone stairs lead to private raised stone patio

Added raised flower bed with armour stone retaining wall alongside stone pathway

Mixing hardscaping and softscaping in landscape design for exposed corner lot enhances curb appeal and privacy

Adding softscaping in landscape design for exposed corner lot enhances curb appeal

Adding natural elements to exposed corner lot enhances curb appeal and privacy

Adding privacy with sections of fence panels and shrubs

Hardscaping - round stairs lead to raised patio with multiple sitting areas

Pondless waterfall using rock and flagstone

Hardscaping - walkway with stepping stones and armour stone retaining wall

Large Koi Pond with Waterfall

by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping | Jun 3, 2019

Large Koi Pond

Large above-ground koi pond built by A Touch of Dutch Landscaping

Project Year: 2018

Budget Range: $25,000 – $50,000

Location: Perth County

Our client contacted us because he wanted to build a pond in this specific area beside his deck. He’s wheelchair-bound and wanted to be able to see the pond from both the upper and lower levels. We installed the pond so that the surface was as close to the lower deck level as possible.

The original fire escape ramp was moved to the side of the deck. Then we added a bridge to the middle of the pond where he can watch his fish up close.

The biggest challenge was the steep slope of the back yard, which meant we had to raise the back about 5′ to keep the pond level. The armour stone retaining wall blends in well with the home and surroundings. It will also provide a perfect backdrop for plants, trees, and shrubs, to be added in the next phase of development.